ALOR SETAR, 16 Sept 2017:
Kedah is expected to receive high rainfall until November, said Kedah Meteorological Department director Rosli Zakaria @ Che Kob.
The situation is caused by the transition of the inter-monsoon season which normally starts in October. In this context, he advised members of the public to be wary about thunder storms together with strong winds which normally occurred in the afternoon.
“The people should know about the signs of approaching storms such as wind blowing and lightnings and thunder striking and to take appropriate precautionary measures.”
He also reminded those living in low-lying areas to be more careful and to obey directives issued by the authorities due to the risk of being affected by flash floods.
On Sept 7, strong wind resulted in more than 50 houses in the district being severely damaged, while three vehicles were hit by falling trees.
The situation resulted in several roads around Alor Setar to be congested, especially at the North Alor Setar toll plaza when several trees were uprooted to the extent of blocking major roads.
Six relief centres in three districts in Kedah have been opened last night to accommodate 415 evacuees from 106 families who were evacuated due to the flash floods.
The evacuation centres are two each in the Kuala Muda, Langkawi and Bandar Baharu district.
The State Disaster Management Committee Secretariat said in a statement the evacuation centres in Kuala Muda are at Dewan Kampung Tengah and Surau Kampung Tengah, with 14 dan 200 evacuees, respectively.
In Bandar Baharu, there are at Dewan Kampung Majidee, with 10 evacuees, and Sekolah Kebangsaan Bandar Baharu (74 evacuees).
In Langkawi, 10 evacuees are at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Kedawang and 35 others at Dewan Kampung Raja.
The Social Welfare Department has registered 164 evacuees, from 40 families, at two flood relief centres here.
Langkawi Disaster Management Committee chairman Isahak Murat said 82 of the evacuees were at the relief centre at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Kedawang, and the remaing at the Kampung Raja Hall.
“I have been informed that 12 families have yet to be registered for evacuation to SMK Kedawang.”
Isahak, who is Langkawi District Officer, said the committee was monitoring the water level at Sungai Kuala Melaka, which had risen to above the danger level at 4.02m.
“If there is no rain, we expect the eater level to drop and the situation will be back to normal when the reading is at 3.19m.”
– Bernama