KOTA BARU: More than 100 General Operations Force (GOF) personnel and their family members have been affected by the floods that have hit Kelantan since early this week.
GOF Southeast Brigade commander Senior Assistant Commissioner Ahmad Radzi Hussain said the figure had been recorded since Nov 24, particularly in Bachok and Kota Bharu.
He said the affected individuals comprised personnel of various ranks, including senior officers and lower-ranking members.
“Since the floods began earlier this week, many GOF personnel from the Eighth Battalion have been affected. Their homes were gradually inundated,” he said.
He was speaking to reporters after visiting Sergeant Mohd Raduan Ayob, 51, who has been suffering from a stroke since March this year, at his home in Pengkalan Chepa today.
The Northeast Monsoon, which usually hits Kelantan, has turned roads into rivers and low-lying areas into watery traps, forcing residents to seek safety in school shelters, while the government was seen handing over various types of donations, from steaming meals to warm blankets.
Radzi said the number of affected personnel did not include those currently serving at the Malaysia–Thailand border.
“As of today, six GOF posts along the border have been inundated by the rising waters from the nearby Golok River. However, more than 20 personnel stationed there are still carrying out their duties as usual,” he said.
He said the affected posts include Pos Pak Teh Kana, Pos Ibrahim, and Pos Tersang.
Radzi said despite the flooding, the GOF would continue to maintain tight security and surveillance along the border.
The floods, which have hit Kelantan since Monday, have forced more than 10,000 people to be evacuated after seven of its 10 districts were affected.
However, the situation has slightly improved today, with only 3,000 people remaining at the 20 flood relief centres throughout the districts.
So far, Kelantan’s floods have claimed two lives — both women, after they drowned in separate incidents in Gua Musang and Tanah Merah.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
