Heavy rain over the past three days has caused floods in low-lying areas in Perlis.

According to a statement from the Perlis National Security Council (MKN), one flood evacuation centre was opened at 9am today, at the Kampung Padang Melaka community hall, Batu Bertangkup, accommodating 50 people from 12 families.

The Civil Defence Department (JPAM) also said another evacuation centre was opened this afternoon at the Kampung Panggas Besar community hall, for about 20 people from five families.

It is understood that more evacuation centres have been opened, including at the Mata Ayer and Arau service centres, with the number of evacuees yet to be ascertained.

Water level readings in several rivers such as Sungai Pelarit, Sungai Jarum, Sungai Buluh and Sungai Batu Pahat exceeded the danger level.

In CHANGLUN, Kedah, over 1,000 residents from eight villages are reportedly affected by floods following heavy rain since two days ago.

The villages are Kampung Paya Nomi, Kampung Belukar, Kampung Rantau, Pekan Changlun, Kampung Sungai Petani, Taman Rasa Sayang, Kampung Bendang Ceruk and Kampung Padang Pasir involving 600 houses.

Kubang Pasu district JPAM officer Kamarulzaman Kasa said the floods occurred when water from Sungai Changlun overflowed its banks at about 4.30am today.

However, he said, so far no households had been evacuated yet.

“So far, the water levels have reached between 0.5 metre and one metre. People will be evacuated if needed,” he said.

A resident of Changlun town, Rozali Man, 50, said the flood water began to seep into his house at about 9am.

“My family has been making early preparations by putting the important items in high places before the flood water began to overflow into my single-storey house,” he said.

Sabrie Arsula, 70, also from Changlun town, said the flood water began to inundate his house at about 4.30am.

He said the water level in Sungai Changlun, located not far from his house, rose quickly, overflowed and flooded the nearby houses.

- Bernama