SUNGAI PETANI: Authorities and residents are bracing for another round of high tide phenomenon expected to happen early tomorrow (Tuesday).
State Civil Defence Force (CDF) director Zairil Anuar Zulmuji said all rescuers had been put on high alert for the likelihood of another round of the high tide phenomenon.
"Everyone in CDF is on high alert. We have prepared 39 land logistic vehicles and 85 boats to evacuate flood victims.
"We hope the weather will be fairer today until early tomorrow morning as we expect another round of high tide phenomenon around 1am tomorrow (Tuesday).
"This is based on the flash floods incident in Kuala Muda district here yesterday, which forced 110 people to be evacuated to three relief centres," he told reporters in Kampung Bukit Belah here, one of the affected settlements in the district.
Present were his deputy Mohd Muaz Mohd Yusof and Sungai Petani APM officer Azahar Ahmad.
All the 110 people evacuated to three flood relief centres in Kuala Muda district have been allowed to return home as the situation improved today.
Zairil added that besides the several hours of rainfall, yesterday's floods were partly contributed by the high tide phenomenon.
"As the sea level rose, water gates along the rivers could not be opened to release the stormwater during the heavy shower.
"It was only after the sea level subsided this morning that the authorities could open the water gates to allow the waters to flow into the sea," he said.
Zairil said the high tide phenomenon is expected to last until the wee hours tomorrow, with the sea level rising by nearly 3 metres.
Sungai Petani disaster secretariat said all three relief centres closed at 1pm after the evacuees were allowed to return home.
"All the Dewan Umno PPS, Dewan SJK (C) Min Terk PPS and Masjid Al-Huda Kampung Jerung PPS have been closed at 1pm after obtaining approval from the Kuala Muda District Officer, Ilias Shuib.
It was reported earlier today that 110 people in Kuala Muda district were forced to be evacuated after their homes were hit by flash floods following several hours of heavy rainfall yesterday evening.