Two people have been killed and one is missing after floods in Pahang State, while heavy rainfall threatens further flooding in Kedah and Perak.
Pahang State
At least two people have died and another remains missing in Cameron Highlands after the Bertam River overflowed. It is understood that the flooding of the river was caused by the release of water from a nearby dam. At least 80 houses were destroyed in the flooding.
Persistent heavy rainfall had forced authorities to release water from the dam to prevent it from bursting. However, once the floodgates were opened, the river soon became overwhelmed. The areas is mountainous, hence the flood waters moved quickly and soon inundated the 80 homes which are believed to be the makeshift shelters of squatters built up along the riverside.
The Cameron Highlands is a tea growing region in the Titiwangsa Mountains and thus attracts tourists and foreign workers who find jobs at the local tea plantations and other agricultural industries. It is understood that the deceased are from Indonesia and Bangladesh, and the missing person is a 17 year old girl from Indonesia.
Kedah State
Meanwhile, flooding in Kedah, Malaysia appears to have worsened in some areas. It was believed that the flood waters were receding, but further heavy rainfall, particularly in the Pendang district, has meant that a further 200 or more people have needed evacuate their homes and take refuge in in relief centres. Many of the newly evacuated were from the areas of Mukim Ayer Putih, Mukim Guar Kepayang, Mukim Padang Pusing and Mukim Bukit Raya. There is also still some concern about flooding levels in Kepala Batas and Padang Terap.
The flood situation in Kota Setar and Baling districts does appear to be easing, and many of those evacuated are returning to their homes.
Perak State
Elsewhere in Malaysia, flooding that had previously led to the evacuation of around 1,000 people in Perak state now appears to be receding. However, there are still over 700 people staying at relief centres and this time of year often sees heavy rainfall that could soon change the situation in Perak, as it did in Kedah state.
The Perak state government aim to widen the Batu Pahat River at the coastal town of Pantai Remis to help reduce flooding risk in the area. It is believed that the inability of the river to deal with excess water caused by heavy rainfall and high tide was one of the main reasons flooding occurred in Manjung district over the last few days.
Sources: New Straits Times; IoL
Photo for illustration purposes only: BBC
