MARAN: A second wave of flooding struck Pahang yesterday, forcing 32 people to be evacuated to the Kampung Jara hall near Kuala Sentul, here.
Jengka Fire and Rescue Department chief Raja Mohd Arif Raja Shamsudin said the victims, from eight families, were evacuated to the centre at about 7.30pm.
"Due to heavy rain, several low-lying areas located near the temple (Sri Marathandavar Aalayam temple in Sungai Jerik) were inundated with floodwaters. The road in front of the temple remains closed to all vehicles.
"Sungai Ulu Jempol burst its banks, forcing the villagers to be relocated. Firemen deployed several boats to move the victims to safer ground," he said when contacted today.
He said as of 10am today, there has been no update about further floods in nearby areas or the number of floods victims at the relief centre.
Meanwhile, Sri Marathandavar Aalayam temple president G. Ramakrishnan said rain has stopped and floodwaters have begun to recede.
"The temple will remain closed today as the committee will carry out cleaning works. We hope to reopen for prayers tomorrow (Sunday)," he said, adding that the temple compound was inundated by floodwaters yesterday.
Meanwhile, state Civil Defence Force (APM) Disaster Management (operations) assistant director Mohd Zairosnizam Tarmizi said 11 houses in Kampung Jara were hit by the floods, forcing residents to evacuate, yesterday.
"Continued downpours had caused Sungai Ulu Jempol in Kampung Jara to overflow its banks, (and its waters flowed) into the houses nearby. Eight families moved to the relief centre, while three choose to stay with other family members," he said.