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.