The third wave of floods hitting Kelantan and Terengganu has worsened resulting in an increasing numbers of evacuees.

In KELANTAN, the evening figure increased to 1,129 people compared to 1,036 in the morning.

The state government's official portal said Sungai Golok in Rantau Panjang and Sungai Kelantan in Jambatan Guillemard, Tanah Merah are still at critical levels despite slowly receding waters. 

There have been no casualties or road closures reported today.

Kelantan National Security Council secretary Roslee Mamat advised people to be cautious as the rainy season was expected to continue until next month.

He also cautioned parents to keep an eye on their children in order to prevent tragic incidents such as the drowning of two boys, aged 13 and 15, in Machang, reported yesterday. 

Meanwhile, state Education Department director Hussain Awang said, as at noon today flood waters started rising at 33 schools in the Pasir Mas district, affecting more than 10,000 students in Rantau Panjang, who were instructed to go home early.

“Schools in the low-lying Tumpat area usually flood within six hours and its worsened by the high tide.

“So school authorities must be prepared to close down at anytime, as soon as they're instructed to do so,” he said during his visit to the affected schools in Rantau Panjang today. 

Kelantan Social Welfare Department director Mohd Noor Chik said the department had allocated more than RM200,000 to help the recent wave of victims since last Sunday.

He gave an assurance that there was sufficient food and beverages and other supplies to go around.

The state Fire and Rescue Department has also provided assistance in the form of transport and rescue equipment such as life jackets and scuba gear.

“A total of 554 personnel are involved in the flood operations,” said operations officer Zaini Bidin.

State Red Crescent Society director Tuan Harun Tuan Yahya said the organisation was prepared to provide minor treatments for flood victims.

Conditions in Besut worsen

In TERENGGANU, conditions in Besut worsened causing the number of evacuees to increase to 3,156 as at 4pm compared to 160 this morning, with relief centres up from six to 42. The state flood portal said in Setiu five additional centres were opened bringing the total to 10.

Hulu Terengganu recorded 339 victims in contrast to 127 this morning.

The protal however said that in Dungun only 22 people remained in one relief centre in Dewan Kampung Pasir Raja.

It added that Sungai Setiu, at Jambatan Permaisuri and Sungai Dungun at Jambatan Jerangau, were still at dangerous levels.  

The overall flood victims in Terengganu decreased to 2,839 as at 9pm tonight, compared to 3,156 earlier this evening.

The National Security Council portal said the three districts  affected were Besut, Setiu and Hulu Terengganu with 30 relief centres.    

It reported that only one road was closed, from Besut to Jalan Kuala Terengganu-Kota Bharu near Kampung Tembila, which was open to only light vehicles.

It said the water levels at Sungai Setiu at Jambatan Permaisuri and Sungai Dungun at Jambatan Jerangau were still at the dangerous category. 

- Bernama