SYED AZHAR The Star 21 Dec 14;
KOTA BARU: Authorities said the floods in Kelantan are the worst of the past decade after rain fell continuously for more than 12 hours Saturday, swelling the number of flood victims at relief centres state-wide to almost 20,000.
"I was told this is the worst flood season over a ten year period. Luckily the authorities are ready to serve the 20,000 people seeking refuge at the relief centers" said Local Government, Housing, Health and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Fattah Mahmood.
Heavy rain that started at 3am on Saturday worsened the flood situation.
The official Kelantan flood portal at ebanjir.kelantan.gov.my reported that Pasir Mas, especially Rantau Panjang town, had been crippled by floods since Wednesday.
A total of 11,184 people from 3,831 families have taken refuge at 37 relief centres as at 3pm on Saturday, up by more than 3,000 people from the day before.
Abdul Fattah said although there were 4,336 people from the various agencies on the ground assisting flood victims, there were a few grouses regarding the supply of food and other amenities.
He added that the authorities were doing their best to help the victims.
"There is enough food for flood victims but there have been complaints where food was slow to reach the victims.
"I have not seen so many evacuees at centres before, and food had to be airlifted to and dropped off at inaccessible areas.
"This situation is far from over as there will be continuous rain next week," he said.
Floods in Kelantan reach critical level, government clinics affected
PHUAH KEN LIN New Straits Times 20 Dec 14;
GEORGE TOWN: Two government clinics in Kelantan were submerged in waters up to chest level today as the flood crisis reaches a critical level in the state.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya said the two clinics were located in the Rantau Panjang area.
He said the flood situation worsened and raised his concern about deteriorating hygiene in flood-hit suburbs.
"No one, especially children, should be allowed to play in the murky flood water as chances are the water is contaminated with harmful bacteria that pose a threat to human.
"Health officers will visit the two clinics next Monday and I will be there.
"We will deploy more doctors and nurses to attend to displaced people if more of them are found to have fallen sick," Dr Hilmi said after handing over school uniform to some 400 recipients at SMK Seri Balik Pulau.
It was reported that the flood situation in Kelantan had worsened with the number of people displaced increased to 19,715 as at noon today.
Four people have died due to floods in Kelantan, with one each in Tanah Merah, Tumpat, Kuala Krai and Kota Baru since the second wave of floods inundated the state on Dec 16.
