KUBANG PASU: Residents affected by flooding in Changlun and other districts in Kedah have been urged to relocate to temporary flood relief centres to avoid any untoward incidents.
State Women, Family and Community Development and Welfare Committee chairman Datuk Halimaton Shaadiah Saad urged those living in flood-prone areas to prioritise their safety as continuous rainfall is expected to continue until tomorrow.
"I advise the community to remain alert. If you feel unsafe, especially those living near riverbanks, please move to relief centres for your safety and that of your family," she told reporters after handing out aid to flood evacuees at the SMK Changlun temporary flood relief centre (PPS) here today.
Present were officers from the state Welfare Department.
Halimaton who is also Bukit Kayu Hitam assemblyman said the number of flood evacuees in Changlun has increased from 61 people this morning to 144 people from 41 families at noon today.
"They are currently taking shelter at the SMK Changlun PPS and Dewan Kampung Tradisi PPS.
"The relevant authorities, particularly the Health Ministry and the Welfare Department have made preparations to assist even more victims," she added.
Meanwhile, one of the evacuees at the SMK Changlun PSS, Ibrahim Hanapiah, 59, claimed that it was the worst floods to have hit Changlun since 2010.
Ibrahim, an odd job worker, said that he and his brother Ahmad, decided to evacuate their houses in Kampung Paya Nongni when the flood situation worsened.
"At first I wasn't too concerned but when I realised that it was raining heavily for several consecutive days, I started making preparation to evacuate.
"The floodwaters rose to my chest level and it was flowing faster than I have ever experienced before. I knew that this was no ordinary flood situation here," he added.
Ahmad, 66, said that despite his house being on higher ground in Kampung Paya Nongni, it was almost submerged by floodwaters.
"I have always prepared my house from getting damaged by flood but if my house is almost submerged I believe other houses are completely inundated," he said.