East coast floods worsen

KOTA BARU: In probably the worst floods in Kelantan in 10 years, the number of evacuees crossed the 20,000 mark over the last two days.
Although the number of victims continued to rise in the morning, there was a slight reduction by this evening.
At press time:
>> 20,227 victims were reportedly at 70 centres in Kelantan;
>> 4,780 victims were reportedly at the 53 centres in Terengganu;
>> water level of the Sungai Golok at Rantau Panjang was above the 9m danger level with a reading of 10.35m as at noon today.
>> authorities have denied a rumour spread on social media that flooding was caused by the release of water from a dam in Sukhirin district, Narathiwat, Thailand, which does not exist.
>> Meteorological Department warns that strong winds and rough seas off the east coast expected to continue till Wednesday.
The heavy rain and floods have also claimed the lives of four people – one each in Tanah Merah, Tumpat, Kuala Krai and Kota Baru – since the second wave of floods hit the state on Dec 16, Bernama reported.
The Kelantan State Education Department has identified 31 schools affected.
Its director Hussain Awang said damage to the schools is being assessed.
He said his department would ensure that the new school term, which is scheduled to begin on Jan 4, would run smoothly if the floods subsided by then.
Meanwhile, Kelantan Department of National Unity and Integration director Safidah Abu Samah said two out of 20 unity kindergartens also suffered heavy damage.
She said both were located in Kuala Krai and that a report had been sent to the department's headquarters for immediate action.
Safidah added that her department had taken precations by relocating equipment in the classes before the school holidays.
Kolej Poly-Tech Mara (KPTM) Kota Bharu director Mohamed Saifuddin Hussin said more than 100 staff and students of the college would help to clean the affected houses and provide food aid to the victims.
"KPTM sympathises with the affected residents and they can contact us at 09 7462020," he said.
Puteri Umno will also send 500 of its volunteers to assist flood victims in Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu.
Its head Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said the volunteers would focus on cleaning the victims' homes.
In Dungun, the experience from a major flood eight years ago has made residents around Kampung Paya, Balai Besar better-prepared for the monsoon season, with many having purchased small boats.
"My house is located in a low-lying area and is frequently flooded. After a very bad experience in 2007, I decided to save some money for a boat, said resident Hindon Abu Bakar, 58.
"In the 2007 flood, we were fast asleep and only realised the flooding when water seeped into our room. Before long, the water level had reached my neck," he said when met at the SK Balai Besar evacuation centre today.
Dungun is said to be the worst-hit district, with 2,102 people from 554 families having been evacuated to 16 relief centres.
Meanwhile, National Security Council (MKN) secretary Datuk Mohamed Thajudeen Abdul Wahab said rumours that floods in Kelantan is caused by the release of water from a dam in Sukhirin district, Narathiwat in Thailand, is untrue.
He said a check with the Royal Irrigation Department of Thailand revealed that no such dam exists.
"Residents are reminded not to believe such a claim and there is no need to panic," he said in Kuala Lumpur today.
Thailand confirmed that the dam closest to Malaysia is located in Munok district in southern Thailand, but the dam is closed at present.