KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 3 — The total number of evacuees in the peninsula flood-hit states of Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Johor dropped to 74,098 this morning but more people affected by floods in several districts in Sabah had to be evacuated to shelters.          

In KELANTAN, although the sky was overcast with intermittent rain, more evacuees were allowed to return to their homes.          

As of this morning, the number of flood evacuees in the state dropped to 24,020 people who are sheltered in 114 flood relief centres (FRCs) as compared to 26,029 people last night, according to a National Security Council (MKN) spokesman in Kota Baharu.         

Tanah Merah recorded 14,184 evacuees, Kuala Krai (3,636), Gua Musang (3,006), Machang (2,555), Kota Baharu (515) and Tumpat (124).         

In PAHANG, the number of evacuees fell to 42,938 people as compared to 43,624 people last night, according to a Pahang police headquarters flood operations room spokesman.

Of the seven districts hit by floods in the state, Temerloh has 20,962 people in FRCs, Pekan (11,063), Jerantut (3,792), Bera (3,479), Maran (2,168), Kuantan (1,074) and Lipis (400).  

Meanwhile, the entire stretch of the East Coast Highway (LPT) from the Karak toll plaza to the Jabor toll plaza was reopened to all vehicles this morning.          

In TERENGGANU, the number of evacuees remained at 143 people who are sheltered at one FRC in Dungun.         

In PERAK, the number of evacuees dropped to 6,881 people this morning involving 1,889 families who are being sheltered at 46 FRCs in Hulu Perak, Kuala Kangsar, Perak Tengah, Manjung and Hilir Perak as compared to 7,158 people last night.          

An MKN spokesman in Ipoh, said the number of flood victims in Perak Tengah dropped to 5,096 people, Kuala Kangsar (636), Hulu Perak (739), Manjung (140) and Hilir Perak (270).           

In JOHOR, there was no change in the situation with 116 people from 24 families still at six FRCs this morning, one in Batu Pahat and five in Segamat.          

However it was different in SABAH with the number of evacuees rising to 910 people this morning as compared to 615 people last night.          

They were being sheltered at five FRCs in three districts, according the state’s Disaster Operations Control Centre.          

Kota Belud had the highest number of evacuees at 810 people followed by Kota Marudu (82) and Pitas (18). — Bernama