ADIE SURI ZULKEFLI New Straits Times 17 Nov 17;
ALOR STAR: The number of flood evacuees in Kubang Pasu district has jumped to nearly 1,000 people this morning, an increase of one-fold compared to yesterday.
Bukit Pinang, a flood prone area in Kota Star is the latest location hit by flash floods, forcing 48 people from 13 families to seek temporary shelter at Surau Assyakirin, Kepala Batas since 10pm last night.
A spokesman with the state Civil Defence Force (APM) Natural Disaster Secretariat said all the 930 evacuees from 250 families are currently taking shelter at six relief centres in Jitra.
He said 278 victims from 72 families are taking shelter at Dewan Kampung Bata followed by another 130 from 30 families in Kampung Lahar.
"The other 222 victims from 63 families are seeking shelter at Dewan Kubur Siam, 202 from 54 families are placed in Dewan Jitra while another 50 from 18 families have been relocated to Dewan Tokong Cina in Jitra area.
Kedah flood update: Fine weather sends over 600 flood evacuees home
Zuliaty Zulkiffli New Straits Times 17 Nov 17;
KUBANG PASU: Shahrom Ali, 60, returning to check on her home in Kampung Paya Tok Teh here this morning, hopes that the floodwater will recede soon.
The elderly woman, who lives alone in a double-storey home, said her house is still inundated by water about half a metre high.
This, however, is slightly better compared to yesterday, Thursday, when the village under one-metre deep water.
"I hope the flood water will recede soon so that I can return and clean up my home," she said.
It will be a daunting task for Shahrom as she has injured herself after slipping when the house was flooded yesterday.
Despite her predicament, Shahrom, who is taking shelter at the Dewan Kampung Bata flood relief centre, is thankful to the authorities who have been helping her.
She is one of the 204 flood evacuees who are taking shelter at the relief centre.
Meanwhile the state Civil Defence Force (APM) director Lieutenant Colonel Mohd Zul Khairi Shamsudin said the situation is expected to improve today after the number of evacuees shot up to nearly 1,000 late yesterday.
He said the flash floods in Jitra were caused by a heavy rainy spell since Tuesday.
"This has resulted in the the rivers in Changlun and Sintok to overflow, triggering a flash floods in low-lying areas.
"However, we expect the situation will improve today, Friday, based on fairer weather. There is no high-tide phenomenon at the moment," he said.
Zul Khairi added that the Muda Agriculture Development Authority (Mada) and the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) are working to channel water from the river into the sea.
"We are still on alert while constantly monitoring updates from the Meteorological Department," he said when visiting the relief centres here.
He advised those living in low-lying areas to be on alert should rainfall last more than four hours.
He added that 100 APM personnel and officers from the Kubang Pasu and Kota Setar districts are on standby to help affected residents with the evacuation process.
As of 4pm today, over 600 flood evacuees in the Kubang Pasu district have been allowed to return home and more are expected to go home soon once the situation improves.
