KUALA LUMPUR: The flood situation in three east coast states –Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang – worsened with 635 people from 131 families relocated to flood relief centres (PPS) as of 4pm compared with 200 victims in the morning yesterday.

       The floods also claimed their first victim when the body of a factory operator was found at 2.22pm after he fell off his motorcycle while attempting to ride through floodwater on a road near a Chinese cemetery in Gambang, near Kuantan.

       The Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) said through its portal https://publicinfobanjir.water.gov.my the flood situation in the three states is expected to continue following rain which resulted in rising river water levels in the affected areas until yesterday evening.

       It reported that the water levels at Sungai Tembeling in Jerantut and Sungai Kechau in Lipis, Pahang; Kampung Jenob and Sungai Golok, Tanah Merah in Kelantan; and Sungai Tebak at Jambatan Tebak, Kemaman, Terengganu, are now above the danger level and rising.

       In Kota Baru, two flood victims who were also Covid-19 patients had to be evacuated to the Gua Musang Hospital at noon to prevent the spread of infection among other evacuees at a temporary relief centre.

       They were initially placed in isolation at the temporary relief centre (PPS) at SK Felda Chiku 7, 142km from here.

       Kelantan Disaster Management Committee secretariat for Gua Musang, Mohd Yussalmi Mohd said the team used a boat to send the patients to the hospital for further treatment.

       “During the operation, we observed the standard operating procedure (SOP) by putting on personal protection equipment (PPE) to prevent transmission to our personnel,” he said.

       Mohd Yussalmi said both patients were reported stable.

       Meanwhile, eight PPS were now opened in Gua Musang, Kuala Krai, Jeli and Tanah Merah involving 548 victims from 108 families, as of 4pm yesterday.

       In Terengganu, the number of flood victims increased slightly to 63 people from 14 families as of 4pm compared to 21 people from five families at 9am.

       The State Disaster Management Committee Secretariat, in a statement, said there are three PPS operating in Setiu, Dungun and Kemaman.

       In Kuantan, there were 24 people, from nine families, at SK Kempadang and nine victims, from two families, at SK Beserah.

       The condition of several roads around this district and the town of Sungai Lembing, which was flooded since early yesterday morning, has also improved, although the weather is still rainy. — Bernama