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Tok Pa: Kelantan floods 'unusual and unexpected'

Flooding in Kelantan, especially in Rantau Panjang, is unusual and unexpected, said Kelantan Federal Action Council chairperson Mustapa Mohamed.

Mustapa, who is also International Trade and Industry Minister, said the government's initial assessment from Dec 25 to 27 found the situation not alarming but the opposite has occurred.

"It is due to continuous heavy rain the last few days and made worse by the floods in Narathiwat, Thailand," he told reporters after visiting 110 evacuees from 47 families at SK Sri Kiambang in Kampung Tiang Chandi, Pasir Mas today.

The government will provide more mobile toilets at relief centres to ensure the health of flood evacuees.

Mustapa advised the public not to park their vehicles by the roadside as it will cause traffic congestion and undermine efforts to rescue the flood victims.

The number of flood evacuees in Kelantan rose to 5,245 people from 1,733 families at 5pm today compared to 4,208 people from 1,452 families at noon.

They were from six districts - Kuala Krai, Machang, Tanah Merah, Jeli, Pasir Mas and Pasir Puteh.

More evacuees

According to Bernama, the number of flood evacuees in Kelantan rose to 5,245 people from 1,733 families at 5pm compared to 4,208 people from 1,452 families at noon.

Kelantan Civil Defence Forces director Zainuddin Hussin said six new flood relief centres have been opened making it 55 relief centres in six districts.

"Pasir Mas district has the most evacuees with 3,063 people from 1,182 families at 18 relief centres followed by Kuala Krai with 905 people (231 families) in nine relief centres, Tanah Merah with 567 people (136 families) at 15 relief centres and Machang with 424 people (114 families) in eight relief centres.

"The number of evacuees in Jeli remain at 259 people (65 families) in four relief centres while Pasir Puteh remain with 27 people (five families) at one relief centre," he said when contacted in Kota Baru today.

The water level of Kelantan's two main rivers has surpassed the danger level at 4pm, said the state government's flood warning website.

Sungai Kelantan at Guillemard Bridge, Tanah Merah was at 17.85m compared to 17.64m at noon (danger level 16m) while Sungai Golok at Rantau Panjang was at 10.45m compared to 10.35m at noon (danger level 9m).

Sungai Kelantan at Tangga Krai, Kuala Krai rose slightly to 23.76m compared to 23.67m at noon (danger level 25m).

Sungai Lebir Tualang at Gua Musang dropped to 32.44m from 32.54m at noon (danger level 35m) while Sungai Galas at Dabong, Kuala Krai dropped to 34.06m from 34.19m at noon (danger level 38m).

Cashing in on 'disaster tourism'

On a lighter note, Bernama also reports that the flood situation in Rantau Panjang was made worse when Sungai Golok overflowed into the drainage system and caused extensive flooding.

Kelantan Fire and Rescue Department director, Azmi Osman said the rain which had not abated since yesterday resulted in Sungai Golok overflowing its banks and entering into the drainage system.

"If this continues, it could flood an area of between 10km and 25km up to Bukit Tandak," he told reporters after visiting flood victims at Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Rantau Panjang 2 today.

Azmi advised residents, especially those living outside Rantau Panjang coming here to have fun in the water not to leave their vehicles on the roadside.

"Such action could lead to traffic congestion and slow down rescue operations. We must understand that if there is a delay in rescuing flood victims, their lives might be endangered," he said.

- Bernama

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