ALOR STAR: The Malaysia Civil Defence Force (APM) is prepared to face any eventualities in Kedah following an alert-level continuous rain warning for seven states effective this Sunday until Dec 11.
Kedah APM deputy director Muhammad Suhaimi Mohd Zain said the agency will be on standby mode, although the rainfall this time is not expected to be as bad as the unusual continuous heavy rainfall which triggered the Nov 28 severe flooding affecting seven districts.
"The upcoming continuous rain is not expected to be as bad as continuous heavy rainfall at the end of last month which triggered massive floods. However, we are prepared to face any eventualities," he said when contacted today.
Earlier today (Dec 5), the Malaysian Meteorological Department (METMalaysia) issued an alert-level continuous rain warning for seven states effective Dec 8 until Dec 11.
"Continuous rain is expected to persist in Perlis, Kelantan, Terengganu, and Kedah, covering districts including Kubang Pasu, Kota Setar, Pokok Sena, Padang Terap, Pendang, Sik, and Baling, with Perak's Hulu Perak district set to experience similar conditions starting Dec 8.
"In Pahang, Cameron Highlands, Lipis, Jerantut, Maran, Kuantan, Pekan, and Rompin are also expected to face continuous rainfall, while Johor's Mersing and Kota Tinggi districts will be affected from Dec 9.
"The public is urged to remain alert and take necessary precautions to prepare for any potential impacts of the ongoing weather conditions," read a statement issued by the agency.
On Nov 28, Kedah was hit by another bout of floods which was more severe than the September floods.
Seven districts, namely Padang Terap, Sik, Pokok Sena, Kota Setar, Kubang Pasu, Baling and Kuala Muda were affected with over 8,000 people forced to seek shelter at temporary flood relief centres (PPK) at the peak of the flooding.
However, the flood situation is improving thanks to fairer weather over the past several days, allowing more evacuees to return home.
According to an update from the Kedah Disaster Management Committee Secretariat, as of 4pm today, 4,419 people from 1,315 families are still housed in 23 PPS across three districts.
In Kota Setar, 3,390 evacuees from 1,016 are housed in 16 PPS, while in Kubang Pasu, 857 people from 250 families are still sheltering in four PPS.
In Pokok Sena, three PPS are still in operation to provide shelter for 172 evacuees from 49 families.