KUALA TERENGGANU, Dec 2 — The number of flood victims in Terengganu shot up to 503 people from 149 families at 10pm compared to only 49 people (12 families) yesterday morning.

The jump in flood victims was due to the opening of eight temporary relief centres (PPS)  in Kuala Terengganu, Marang, Dungun and Kuala Nerus starting this morning following continuous heavy rain since Thursday.     

Marang with 358 victims (107 families) recorded the highest number of evacuees at four PPS namely Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Seri Payong, Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Bukit Gasing, SK Marang and SK Pasir Putih. 

According to Info Banjir portal, 45 people (15 families) were housed at one PPS in Kuala Terengganu in SK Chendering while 34 people (nine families) were transferred to one PPS at Paka Dewan Sivik, Dungun.

In Kuala Nerus, 45 people (12 families) were moved to two relief centres at SK Bukit Nenas and SK Bukit Guntong.

In Besut, there was no change from the morning with 21 victims (six families) in SK Tembila.

According to Irrigation and Drainage Department, at 9.45pm, the water level at Sungai Nerus in Kampung Langkap, Setiu, was at 21.52 metres which was above the danger level at 21.50m while the reading at Sungai Chalok in Chalok Bridge also in Setiu was 8.33 metres which breached the warning level at 7.70m.

Meanwhile, Terengganu Civil Defence Force (APM) director Lt Col (PA) Che Adam A Rahman said cloudy weather with drizzle and occasionally heavy rain in some areas was expected to continue until tomorrow.

"Residents should be alert and follow current developments with the relevant agencies on the latest flood situations in their areas,” he said. — Bernama