KUANTAN: Heavy rain since yesterday caused flash floods at several areas in Sungai Lembing town near here, making certain stretches impassable to light vehicles.
However, no one was evacuated as of 9am although the water level at Sungai Kuantan near Bukit Kenau has breached the dangerous level.
Sungai Lembing assemblyman Mohamad Ayub Mat Ashri said the water started rising at 4.30am before certain low-lying areas were inundated in 2.5m-deep waters.
"The river water level started to rise before it spilled over to the low lying areas. A 500m stretch in Sungai Lembing town area has been closed to light vehicles and continuous rain is causing the water level to rise.
"Residents have been advised to be prepared to move to relief centres. The rescue authorities including marine police are on standby at the Sungai Lembing police station in case of any evacuation operations," he said when contacted.
Ayub said the stretch between Kuantan and traditional villages near Sungai Lembing is still open to all vehicles.
Sungai Lembing - once a prosperous tin mining town - is prone to floods and often described as an indicator of the flood situation in the state capital during the rainy season.
Meanwhile, district police chief Assistant Commissioner Wan Mohd Zahari Wan Busu said 50mm of heavy rainfall was recorded over the past 24 hours resultingin floods in several low lying areas.
He said the water level at Sungai Lembing at Sungai Rimau and Sungai Kuantan at Bukit Kenau has breached the danger mark as of 8am today.
"Sungai Lembing and Sungai Kuantan recorded levels of 36.47m and 21.59m, respectively, exceeding the danger level of 36m and 21.50m. The water level at Sungai Belat near Kuantan town and Sungai Cherating remains normal," he said.