Floods In Kelantan Extraordinary - Shahidan

TUMPAT, Dec 22 (Bernama) -- The floods inundating east coast states in Peninsular Malaysia, especially in Kelantan, have been regarded as extraordinary, and all quarters must view the matter seriously to avoid untoward incidents.

Stating this Monday evening, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said, currently, several major rivers in the states were reported to have returned to the danger level, and more people might have to be evacuated.

"At the same time, the water levels of rivers have gone up again in Gua Musang. People are being reevacuated in Kuantan, Pahang and Besut in Terengganu.

"Take cognizance of this phenomenon because the continuous rain can result in a bigger (second) wave (of floods)," he told BERNAMA when visiting a flood relief centre at Sekolah Kebangsaan Sri Tumpat 2 in Tumpat.

As in the night, more than 16,000 flood victims had been evacuated to 60 relief centres in eight districts in Kelantan.

The floods had caused almost 200 residents in Gua Musang to be evacuated after the water level in Sungai Galas, Sungai Lebir and Sungai Kelantan exceeded the danger level following heavy rain since Sunday.

Shahidan expressed regret that some residents in the state were turning the floods into a festival by swimming and bathing in flood waters, an act that could result in a mishap for them.

"This is not an ordinary flood. It is extraordinary. Do not regard it as a festival.

"This time around, the current is strong, and I hope everyone will be extra careful," he said.

Shahidan also expressed satisfaction with the efficiency of the agencies involved in helping the flood victims.

"Overall, they did a good job despite facing minor problems at certain centres," he added.