Over 15,000 Victims Evacuated As Floods Worsen In Terengganu And Kelantan
The floods have also claimed the lives of two.
By May Vin Ang — 28 Feb 2022, 12:14 PM
Incessant rain in the East Coast has caused widespread flooding across the states of Terengganu and Kelantan over the weekend, displacing thousands of families
According to New Straits Times, the continuous heavy rain has forced more people to be evacuated to temporary relief centres late last night, 27 February.
In Terengganu, the number of flood victims rose to 7,488 people from 2,215 families as of 10pm.
They have been evacuated to 127 relief centres opened across the state.
Meanwhile, in Kelantan, over 7,558 people from 2,449 families have been evacuated to 66 relief centres as of 9pm.
BFM reported that the floods have claimed the lives of two — a 70-year-old man from Kampung Kuala Gris and a 13-year-old boy from Kampung Talang, near Kota Bharu.
Both were found drowned near their homes.
As of last night, the wet weather has not been showing signs of letting up
The Terengganu Disaster Management Committee secretariat said continuous heavy rain across the state may force more people in low-lying areas to be evacuated from their homes.
Utusan Malaysia reported that some residents of Hulu Terengganu have been forced to climb to their rooftops while waiting for help to come, while others observed from higher grounds and nearby hills as their homes were submerged by the rising waters.
Meanwhile, according to Free Malaysia Today, 385 tourists have been stranded on Pulau Perhentian since Friday, 25 February, due to worsening weather conditions.
On social media, locals have also been posting videos of strong waves by the coast and rising floodwaters.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said he has instructed the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) to assist in the evacuation of flood victims to safer grounds
He has also directed the Ministry of Health (MOH) to assist with COVID-19 prevention measures to curb the spread of the virus at relief centres.
"To all flood evacuees, please follow the safety measures and procedures and evacuate to the relief centres or higher ground that are safe for you and your family," said Ismail Sabri in a statement on Facebook, yesterday.
He added that rescuers from several departments and agencies — including the Fire and Rescue Department, the police, the Armed Forces, and the Civil Defence Forces — have been deployed to assist people affected by the floods in the two states.
