ALOR STAR: The state government has allocated RM3.5 million to provide RM1,000 cash aid to 3,517 families affected by last week's floods.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said the cash aid would be distributed to the heads of families who were evacuated to temporary flood relief centres in the affected districts.
"I wish to assure the flood evacuees that they will get the aid through the respective district flood command centre.
"Some of the aid has been disbursed to the affected families, while the rest will receive it from the district flood command centres once they return to their respective homes," he said in a press conference after chairing the state executive council meeting in Wisma Darul Aman here today.
Sanusi said the flood situation in Kedah was improving with the number of evacuees sheltering in flood relief centres having declined to 2,942 people from 939 families.
Kota Star has the highest number of flood evacuees with 1,623 people in 10 flood relief centres, followed by Pendang with 1,160 people, while the remaining victims are taking shelter in flood relief centres in Pokok Sena and Kubang Pasu districts.
"The Federal Government has started distributing RM1,000 cash aid for each family through the Implementation Coordination Unit," he said.
Sanusi said the Kedah Zakat Board (LZNK) had agreed to fund the cost of repair works for 717 houses damaged by the floods and thunderstorm incident.
He said LNZK had also agreed to fund up to RM15,000 for the repair works of each eligible family
"Repair works costing over RM15,000 will be handled by the National Disaster Management Agency.
Sanusi said the floods had caused RM10 millions of losses to the state's agricultural infrastructure.
He said 999 farmers, mostly padi farmers, were affected, involving nearly 3,000ha of agricultural land.
He added that the total damage to the padi sector and other crops, such as chillies, mushrooms and plantation infrastructure, amounted to RM8.2 million.
Sanusi said the state government would explore ways to assist padi farmers outside the Muda Agriculture Development Authority.