KUALA LUMPUR: Flooding has affected three states, displacing more than 4,000 people, as authorities warn that rising river levels and continued heavy rainfall could worsen the situation over the coming days.
According to Social Welfare Department flood data up to 4.09pm yesterday, Pahang remains the worst-hit state, with 3,783 evacuees from 1,202 families sheltering at 47 relief centres across four districts — Kuantan, Pekan, Rompin and Maran.
In Johor, flooding is confined to Mersing, where 241 people from 71 families have been relocated to two relief centres.
Terengganu has also been affected, with 97 evacuees from 26 families housed at three relief centres in Kemaman.
In Sarawak, the State Disaster Management Committee said flood conditions had eased, with the last two evacuees at a relief centre in Miri allowed to return home yesterday.
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) reported an upward trend in floodwaters, with several rivers approaching warning levels.
In Kelantan, Sungai Kelantan in Kuala Krai recorded a water level of 23.52m, while in Perak, Sungai Bernam at Sungai Slim stood at 25.2m. In Terengganu, water levels at Sungai Besut in Keruak (34.53m), Jambatan Keruak (34.39m) and Sungai Hulu Terengganu (20.45m) were also on the rise.
The Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a series of weather warnings, including alerts for thunderstorms, continuous rain and very heavy rainfall, with adverse conditions expected to persist in several states until today.
Continuous rain alerts have been issued for large parts of the country — including Perak, Pahang, Johor, Kelantan, Terengganu, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Negri Sembilan and Melaka — with several districts forecast to receive prolonged rainfall until today.
MetMalaysia has also warned of prolonged heavy rain in Terengganu, Pahang and Johor, affecting districts such as Dungun, Kemaman, Jerantut, Maran, Kuantan, Pekan, Rompin, Segamat, Kluang, Mersing and Kota Tinggi, which could heighten flood risks.
The highest-level warning has been issued for Kuantan, Pekan and Rompin in Pahang, where very heavy and continuous rain is forecast until today.
MetMalaysia has advised the public, particularly those in flood-prone and coastal areas, to remain vigilant, monitor official updates and take necessary precautions amid the severe weather.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
