The number of flood evacuees in Kedah has soared to over 200 people with Baling being the worst affected district, forcing 159 victims to take shelter at two temporary flood relief centres as of 8am today.
State Civil Defence Force (MCDF) disaster management secretariat chief Major Muhammad Suhaimi Mohd Zain said three temporary relief centres have been activated in the Baling district to provide shelter for the victims from 131 families.
“SK Siong houses the most number of evacuees with 119 people, followed by eight people at SK Seri Bayu and four people at SK Parit Panjang.
“The evacuees at SK Siong include 53 students, 20 teachers and seven facilitators from SMK Bongor and 70 students and 29 teachers from SK Seri Perdana Kota Setar who were evacuated after their campsite in Siong was hit by flash floods yesterday evening,” he said in a statement.
It was reported that rescuers acted swiftly to evacuate the students and teachers after the campsites located in Siong were hit by the flash floods at about 5.30pm yesterday as the Baling river reached ‘caution’ level.
Suhaimi said three sub districts in Baling were affected by the floods namely Siong, Pulai and Baling, involving 13 settlements.
He added that the number of evacuees in Bandar Baharu remains at three people who have now taken shelter at the Sg Batu Mosque.
“Nine settlements in the Kuala Muda district and a village in Jeneri, Sik were also affected by flash floods but no relief centres have been activated as for now,” he said.