Despite the sunshine this afternoon, the number of people evacuated from flood-stricken areas in Perlis rose to 694 from 178 families, mostly from Kangar, as of 8pm.

The victims are sheltered at 14 evacuation centres, a spokesman from the state National Security Council flood operations room said.

He said despite the sunshine, floodwaters in Kangar rose, causing 384 victims from 90 families to take refuge at nine evacuation centres.

In Arau, where 272 people from 77 families are housed at four evacuation centres, the floodwaters are receding.

In Padang Besar, floods have subsided and several evacuation centres were closed, leaving 38 victims from 11 families to stay put at an evacuation centre.

   

Meanwhile, the Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) in the state will not be affected and 4,594 pupils will sit for the examination at 75 centres.

However, Perlis education director Don Kasa said two schools, Sekolah Kebangsaan Tengku Budriah in Arau and Sekolah Kebangsaan Padang Melangit near Kangar had to be closed, but and the examination could still be held on the first floors of the schools.

"We have taken measures to enable candidates to sit for the UPSR, including by providing vehicles to ferry students to schools," Don added.

- Bernama