ALOR STAR: The worsening flood situation in Alor Star has caused rising waters from Sungai Kedah to compel businesses, including shopping complexes along Jalan Pumpong, to shut down.
Many business owners reported losses as their premises were inundated by floodwaters, catching them off guard.
Jalan Pantai Johor, the main route to the Government Administration Complex in Anak Bukit, remained submerged as overflow from Sungai Anak Bukit in Taman Aman and at the TAR Bridge exacerbated the situation.
Phone repair shop owner Chua Chin Chin, 41, said the river rose rapidly, causing her shop to be inundated.
"My husband and I saved some items yesterday, thinking the water would recede since there was no rain.
"But we were shocked to see the water had reached the road this morning.
"We've been closed for two days now and fear the water will rise further," she said when met at the scene.
Restaurant operator Nurul Natasha Zamri, 30, said floodwaters began seeping into her premises yesterday morning but worsened overnight.
"When I returned, I found the water had risen to thigh level.
"I've had to close the restaurant and can only wait for the water to recede," she said, expressing concerns over further increase in water level.
Motorists were seen turning back to find alternative routes as floodwaters cut off roads.
Several routes in the Kubang Pasu district also remained closed to light vehicles, including sections of the North-South Expressway (Plus) between Jitra and Hutan Kampung.
Meanwhile, the flood situation in Kedah worsened further at noon today, with 9,129 victims seeking shelter in 53 temporary relief centres (PPS) in seven affected districts.
According to the State Disaster Management Committee Secretariat, Kota Setar is the hardest-hit district, with 3,301 evacuees from 991 families now housed at 13 PPS.