KUCHING, Sept 18 – The number of flood victims has increased significantly in Penang, Kedah, and Perlis, prompting authorities to open more temporary relief centres across the affected regions. Continuous heavy rainfall has caused several rivers to exceed danger levels, adding to the urgency of the situation.
Flood Situation Worsens Across Northern Malaysia
In Kedah, the flood situation has escalated dramatically overnight. The total number of victims relocated to relief centres surged from 675 reported yesterday afternoon to a staggering 2,194 as of this morning. This increase has forced local authorities to act swiftly, setting up additional relief centres to accommodate the displaced individuals.
Kedah: Hard-Hit Areas and Rising River Levels
Number of Victims in Kedah Swells
As of 8 am today, six districts in Kedah – Kubang Pasu, Pendang, Kulim, Pokok Sena, Kuala Muda, and Kota Setar – are grappling with the aftermath of relentless rainfall. The State Social Welfare Department confirmed that 388 families have been affected by the floods, with the number of victims reaching over 2,000.
According to Datuk Zulkhairi Zainol Abidin, State Social Welfare Department director, Pokok Sena remains the hardest-hit area, with 1,000 victims from 173 families now sheltered in two newly opened relief centres. Meanwhile, Pendang has also seen a sharp rise in evacuees, with 678 people from 43 families relocated to another relief centre.
Kubang Pasu has recorded 301 victims from 99 families across three operational relief centres, while Kulim has 108 victims from 34 families in three newly opened centres. In the Kuala Muda district, 54 victims from 23 families are currently housed in a relief centre, and in Kota Setar, 53 victims from 16 families are being cared for in a recently opened centre.
Rivers in Kedah at Dangerous Levels
Adding to the gravity of the situation, eight rivers in Kedah have breached their danger levels, as reported by the Drainage and Irrigation Department’s (DID) Infobanjir website. These rivers include:
- Sungai Padang Terap in Kepala Batas
- Sungai Bata in Kampung Bata
- Sungai Laka in Kampung Padang Pasir (Kubang Pasu)
- Sungai Anak Bukit in Taman Aman and Jambatan TAR (Kota Setar)
- Sungai Titi Kerbau in Kubur Panjang (Pendang)
- Sungai Perik in Kampung Perik (Padang Terap)
- Sungai Gurun in Kampung Perupok (Yan)
In addition, four rivers are at warning levels, including Sungai Sedim, Sungai Ketil, Sungai Sari, and Sungai Kedah, posing a significant threat of further flooding in the region.
Penang: Increasing Numbers of Displaced Victims
Penang is also grappling with the consequences of the floods, with 635 victims now being housed in 11 relief centres. This is a sharp increase from the 236 victims reported just yesterday.
Districts Affected in Penang
The Penang Civil Defence Force (APM) reports that the flood victims, from 173 families, are distributed across three districts: Seberang Perai Utara (SPU), Seberang Perai Tengah (SPT), and Seberang Perai Selatan (SPS).
- SPU has the highest number of flood victims, with 401 people from 103 families staying in four centres: SK Padang Menora, SK Lahar Yooi, Sekolah Agama Rakyat Nyior Sebatang, and the Labuh Banting Flood Settlement Centre.
- In the SPT district, five relief centres are currently accommodating 168 victims from 46 families, including centres at SK Seri Penanti, SMK Permatang Pasir, and SMK Permatang Rawa.
- In SPS, 66 people from 24 families have sought shelter at Dewan MPKK Sanglang and Dewan Serbaguna Sungai Bakap.
Heavy rains and strong winds persist in some areas, further complicating evacuation efforts and relief operations.
Perlis: Two Relief Centres Opened as Flooding Begins
In Perlis, the flood situation, though less severe compared to Kedah and Penang, has also forced authorities to open two relief centres. As of last night, 41 victims from 13 families have been relocated to these centres at SK Arau and SK Sena. The Perlis APM has reported that prolonged rain beginning at 6 pm yesterday caused a sudden rise in river levels, necessitating the swift evacuation of residents.
The DID Infobanjir website also reported that Sungai Gial in Arau recorded a water level of 9.16 metres, surpassing the warning level. Additionally, Sungai Arau has risen to 21.57 metres, exceeding the alert level as of this morning.
Flood Relief Efforts Intensify
As the floods continue to affect the northern states of Penang, Kedah, and Perlis, local authorities are working around the clock to ensure that flood victims are provided with necessary aid, including food, medical assistance, and shelter. The ongoing monitoring of river levels by the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID), along with the support of the Civil Defence Force (APM), is critical in preventing further casualties and ensuring the safety of residents.