PUTRAJAYA, 28 Nov – Tahap kesiapsiagaan bagi menghadapi banjir di semua peringkat kini dipertingkatkan ke tahap tertinggi, memandangkan bencana itu dijangka lebih teruk berbanding pada 2014, kata Timbalan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Ahmad Zahid, yang juga Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pengurusan Bencana Pusat berkata seramai 82,794 pegawai dan anggota diatur gerak bagi menghadapi banjir di beberapa negeri terjejas khususnya di Pantai Timur.

Beliau berkata kerajaan telah mengenal pasti 8,481 pusat pemindahan sementara (PPS) yang mampu menampung 2.1 juta mangsa di seluruh negara bagi menghadapi Monsun Timur Laut (MTL) kali ini.

“Di Kelantan, kita ada 448 PPS yang boleh menampung seramai 175,000 orang dan Terengganu, 749 PPS disediakan untuk menampung kira-kira 214,000 mangsa.

“Jadi dalam keadaan (banjir) yang begitu, kerjasama semua pihak telah dimobilisasikan (memastikan keselamatan serta kebajikan mangsa banjir),” katanya dalam sidang media selepas mempengerusikan mesyuarat kecemasan bencana banjir di sini hari ini.

Beliau berkata pelbagai aset pasukan keselamatan turut digerakkan antaranya 2,031 bot penyelamat, 1,399 kenderaan pacuan empat roda serta 31 buah helikopter. – BERNAMA

Kuala Krai: Hampir 500 penduduk di Kampung Pasir Era di sini, kini bersiap sedia untuk menyelamatkan diri ke atas bukit selepas kawasan perkampungan mereka terkepung susulan jalan utama dinaiki air setinggi empat meter.

Katanya, sehingga pagi ini, hujan masih belum berhenti dan paras air sungai juga menunjukkan trend menaik.

"Lebih membimbangkan, anak saudara saya berpantang di rumah bersama bayinya yang berusia 10 hari dan pada masa sama, ibu saya, Zawiah Mat Salleh, 81, juga tidak sihat kerana sakit tua.

"Penduduk tidak berani mengambil risiko untuk mengharungi banjir kerana arusnya yang deras serta dalam," katanya ketika dihubungi.

Nazira berkata, bekalan makanan juga semakin berkurangan disebabkan kedai runcit yang menjual barang keperluan harian juga semakin kekurangan stok. "Saya bimbang jika keadaan berterusan begini, kami akan terputus bekalan makanan," katanya.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has called on residents in flood-prone areas to prioritise their safety and comply with instructions from the authorities, as heavy rainfall continues to pose significant risks.

In his capacity as the National Disaster Management Committee chairman, he urged the public to avoid taking risks that could jeopardise their lives, particularly given the current unpredictable weather conditions.

“The continuous heavy rain warning issued by the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) indicates worsening weather conditions, especially in areas categorised as dangerous, severe, or alert,” he said in a Facebook post yesterday.

He also said that heavy rainfall is expected to persist until Friday, urging everyone to stay prepared and vigilant.

Zahid extended his sympathies to flood victims, expressing hope that they would remain strong during this difficult time and that their challenges would be resolved swiftly.

According to the latest National Disaster Report from the Malaysian Civil Defence Force, five states were affected by floods as of 8am yesterday.

A total of 46 temporary relief centres are currently housing evacuees across eight districts in Kelantan, two in Terengganu, and one each in Pahang, Johor, and Perak.

Zahid also advised the public to stay informed through MetMalaysia’s official website, social media channels, or the myCuaca mobile application for real-time updates and accurate weather information.

FLOODS in Kelantan and Terengganu have worsened, with more than 20,000 residents now in temporary relief centres as of 8pm yesterday. The number of flood victims in Kelantan surged dramatically to 17,927 by 6.45pm, compared with 9,868 at 3pm.

Nine districts are affected, and temporary relief centres have been opened in Pasir Mas, Kuala Krai, Jeli, Machang, Tanah Merah, Pasir Puteh, Kota Baru, Bachok and Tumpat. In Terengganu, 2,339 individuals were relocated to relief centres across six districts by 6pm yesterday.

According to the Terengganu State Disaster Management Committee, Besut is the hardest hit, with 1,102 victims across 20 centres. According to InfoBanjir, 11 rivers in the state are at danger levels.

Among them, Sungai Besut at Jambatan Keruak has reached 37.16 metres (the danger level is 35 metres), Sungai Besut in Kampung La has risen to 23.93 metres (above the 21.8m danger level), and Sungai Berang in Kampung Menerong, Hulu Terengganu, has recorded 24.53m (slightly above the 24.5m danger level).

Floods in Rantau Panjang, Kelantan, forced businesses to close after all roads leading into the town were submerged under 0.4 to 0.8 metres of water at noon yesterday.

Checks at three Customs enforcement points found that only the first gate was passable to traffic, while the second gate in Kampung Parit Air and the third in Kampung Kubang Rambutan were closed.

Merchant Amran Abdullah, 45, said he opened his clothing store at 10am, but floodwaters began to rise by noon.

“Many fellow traders decided to close shop early and pack up their goods, fearing water levels would rise and enter their premises,” he said.

In Kota Baru, the Teluk Mesira Water Treatment Plant in Bachok had to cease operations, affecting 1,300 users.

The affected areas included Teluk Mesira, Taman SPP, Kampung Jembal, Tok Jawa, Budi, Pintu Gerbang, Wakaf Zin, Desa Kerian, Dusun Durian, Chicha Menyabung, and Kampung Gajah Mati, according to Air Kelantan Sdn Bhd’s Corporate Department.

In Kuala Krai, more than 2,000 residents from five villages were trapped after bridges and main roads were inundated due to heavy rainfall since Monday.

The affected villages are Kampung Mia, Kampung Ulu Manah, Kampung Tanjung Kala, Sungai Tasan and Ladang Kuala Pertang.

Mukim Kuala Pertang head Mat Ropi Abdullah, 49, said the flooded bridges included the Kuala Pertang Bridge, Sungai Tasan Bridge, Kampung Mia Bridge, and the road leading to Kampung Ulu Manah.

Page 1 pic: Residents wading through one of the flooded main roads in Kota Baru, Kelantan yesterday morning following continuous heavy rain overnight.