One dead, two missing as flood situation worsens

Waterlogged: An aerial picture from the Fire and Rescue Department showing flooded homes in Kuantan.

KUALA LUMPUR: The flood situation in the east coast states has worsened with more being evacuated, one death from drowning and two people reported missing in Pahang.

Kemaman in Terengganu, meanwhile, has become virtually an island after being cut off in all directions.

A spokesman for the flood operations room at the Pahang police contingent headquarters said Mohamed Alif Khalid, 21, was found drowned at 4.15pm on Wednesday after he had gone fishing alone at Sungai Kampung Sepial in Kuala Tembeling, Jerantut.

Pekan Umno division committee member Jamali Jani, 45, and his son Megat Mohd Nazli Jamali, 17, are believed to be missing after they fell into the floodwaters in Sungai Isap village at about 7.30pm yesterday.

They were said to be removing some belongings from their submerged house into a fibreglass boat when they fell into the floodwaters. A search operation has been mounted.

In Terengganu, the state Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) reported that the water level in most of the main rivers in Terengganu this morning was at the danger level.

Kemaman was one of the worst-hit areas with power and roads all cut off.

A road over a tidal gate in Bandar Chukai has sunk and was cut into two due to the rapid flow of floodwaters, while vehicles were seen submerged in many areas.

The flood situation in Kelantan has worsened and more people are being evacuated.

A state flood operations centre spokesman said the affected districts were Kuala Krai, Machang, Pasir Puteh, Tanah Merah and Pasir Mas.

Makeshift houseboat: A woman and her family waiting out the floods in their house near a river in Mentakab, Pahang.

The spokesman also said that the Meteorological Department’s prediction of continuous rain over the next few days was expected to affect more districts.

In Johor, state police chief Senior Deputy Comm Datuk Mohd Mokhtar Mohd Shariff said all district OCPDs were ordered to station mobile police stations near flood relief centres to make it convenient for evacuees to seek help in the event of mishaps.

Meanwhile, 246 electricity substations in Terengganu have ceased operations, up from 141 the previous day, affecting 11,034 consumers as at noon yesterday.

A total of 116 substations in some districts in Pahang have ceased operation, affecting 7,301 consumers, the statement said. 

The Star Online

Friday 6 December,2013.