All authorities in the state of Kedah are on alert for the likelihood of another flood wave, especially in low-lying districts, as 34 people have been evacuated.
Chief of the disaster operations section of the Kedah Civil Defence Force (APM), Mejar Mohd Muaz Mohd Yusoff, stated that the district office, police, Fire and Rescue Department, and Rela were also participating.
“The weather is now gloomy but improving, and the river is steadily retreating. “However, all agency workers, including APM, will be prepared for any potential flood,” he stated.
Yesterday at midday, Mohd Muaz reported that 34 victims from nine families were seeking refuge in two temporary relief centres at SK Tengku Habasah and Tun Abdul Razak Hall.
“Tuesday's heavy rainfall caused the water level in low-lying regions or along the river to increase, and the victims had to be evacuated quickly to the open relief facilities on Tuesday night,” he explained.
Tuesday about 6 p.m., after an hour of continuous rainfall, the Sungai Baling overflowed its banks into surrounding residential areas.
At around 7:00 p.m., authorities were notified and a rescue squad was rushed to the flooded area.
The director of state health, Dr. Othman Warijo, stated that the situation at Hospital Baling had improved since yesterday morning, when the floodwaters had entirely retreated.
“Only the community space on the ground floor was affected by the flood,” he claimed.
Besides the hospital quarters, other localities severely impacted included Kampung Rambong Batu, Kampung Bendang Sera, Kampung Jernang, Kampung Seratus and Kampung Tanjung Langsat.
Several areas of Johor Baru that were flooded after Tuesday's heavy rainfall have returned to normal. Hospital Sultanah Aminah, which was one among the areas damaged by flash floods, also operated as normal.
Ling Tian Soon, the head of the state health and unity committee, stated that cleanup efforts were conducted yesterday morning.
“The impacted areas have been evacuated and sanitised, and work has returned to normal,” he added, adding that no medical equipment or facilities were destroyed.
