Flood situation in Kelantan improves

KOTA BARU: The flood situation in Kelantan has improved with all districts, except Tumpat, back to normal at noon today.
All flood evacuation centres in the Pasir Mas district were closed this morning.
According to the Social Welfare Department's Infobanjir, only 491 flood victims in the Tumpat district have yet to return home as at 1pm today.
The flood victims, from 146 families, are being accommodated at three relief centres in the Tumpat district.
Based on the weather condition, most of the victims returned home yesterday.
Meanwhile, in Dungun, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment was in the process of upgrading the early flood warning systems nationwide.
Its Minister, Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said when the upgrading is complete, flood warnings could be obtained two days earlier, compared to only two hours now.
"This way, we will be able to give ample warning to those affected. The upgrading works, with the cooperation of the Department of Irrigation and Drainage, will involve 40 major rivers and involves a cost of RM500 million.
"The works include upgrading the hydrology system, development of the data detection system and how the information is disseminated," he said after visiting the SK Durian Mentangau flood relief centre here, today.
Wan Junaidi said phase one of the project involved Sungai Kelantan, Sungai Terengganu and Sungai Pahang.
"We expect all the work to be completed by the end of 2017 and the new system would be fully operational next year," he added. — Bernama