ALOR STAR: A total of 85 victims from 24 families in six villages in Kuala Muda district were evacuated to relief centres beginning at 12am today due to high tide flooding.
Kuala Muda district Civil Defence Force (APM) officer Lieutenant-Major Azahar Ahmad said the villages affected were Kampung Masjid, Kampung Ujung Matang, Kampung Padang Salim, Kampung Paya, Kampung Sungai Yu and Kampung Sungai Meriam.
Azahar, who is also a committee member of disaster management of the Kuala Muda district, said four relief centres have been opened so far to accommodate all the victims, namely SK Seri Kuala (29 victims), Kampung Paya Public Hall (20 victims), Haji Yusof Bukit Kecil Mosque's Hall (24 victims) and the house of Sungai Meriam Village Development and Security Committee chairman (12 victims).
"Three of the relief centres – SK Seri Kuala, Kampung Paya Public Hall and Haji Yusof Bukit Kecil Mosque's Hall – were opened beginning 12am today, while the house of the Sungai Meriam Village Development and Security Committee chairman began welcoming victims since 1.30am.
"Four of the villages affected, namely Kampung Masjid, Kampung Ujung Matang, Kampung Padang Salim and Kampung Paya, are located in Haji Kudong in Kota Kuala Muda, while the remaining two villages are located in Bukit Meriam,” Azahar said.
The high tide phenomenon hit several areas of the district on Saturday and is expected to continue until Thursday.
Based on a statement released by the Meteorology Department, wave levels are expected to reach between 2.8m and 3m, with the highest reading forecasted to occur on Tuesday at 1.47am and on Wednesday at 2.24am.