JITRA: Residents affected by floods in several districts in Kedah have been advised to relocate to safer areas, with water levels expected to rise tonight and tomorrow. Kedah Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Zone 1 Chief Senior Fire Officer I Ahmad Aminuddin Abd Rahim said the department has been receiving calls since yesterday from flood victims and the public seeking assistance for evacuation to safe locations.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Aminuddin reported that this morning, the department received information about flood victims in Kampung Paya Tok Kiong who needed rescue after floodwaters rose above 1.2 metres. A total of 12 officers and personnel were dispatched to the scene with two JBPM boats. The floodwaters began rising around 5 am, and 16 victims from five houses requested evacuation as access roads were cut off by the rapidly rising and strong currents.
Ahmad Aminuddin also advised the public, particularly those driving small vehicles, not to endanger themselves and their families b
y attempting to drive through floodwaters, as the strong currents could sweep them away.
Juzainirisha Junaidi, 25, one of the evacuees from Kampung Paya Tok Kiong, recounted how she only realized floodwaters had entered her home after receiving a phone call from her father, who lives nearby. At that time, her husband and two children were still asleep. After being alerted, she quickly packed important belongings and waited on higher ground until rescuers arrived. She noted that this is the third time floods have hit this year, but it is the worst, as the water had not entered their house previously.
So far, floods have affected four districts-Kubang Pasu, Sik, Padang Terap, and Pokok Sena-displacing more than 700 people who have been relocated to temporary relief centres.