THE Kedah Civil Defence Force (CDF) said floodwaters in the state could stagnate if it was still raining during high tide on Friday.

State CDF disaster operations division head Saifuddin Abdullah said though skies were clear today, five districts were at risk of flooding if downpours started again.

“The weather seems clear today. I hope this will continue and the water will be able to flow quickly to sea, but we fear high tide will occur from September 29 to October 2. It is hoped floodwaters will recede before the high tide comes.

“If the floodwaters collide with high tide, several settlements may be inundated and more victims will have to be evacuated,” he told reporters at Sungai Anak Bukit, Taman Aman, Alor Setar, today.

Saifuddin said Kedah CDF had assets ready to manage flood situations in Kubang Pasu, Kota Setar, Pokok Sena, Pendang and Kuala Muda, adding that so far, relief centres have been set up in Kubang Pasu, Kota Setar and Pokok Sena.

“We have on standby 12 lorries, 12 four-wheel-drive vehicles, two vans, eight ambulances and 85 boats and 603 workers,” he said.

He said the water levels of Kubang Pasu’s Sungai Laka and Sungai Bata, Pendang’s Sungai Pendang and Kota Setar’s Sungai Anak Bukit were at the dangerous mark this morning.

The number of flood victims in Kedah rose to 268 people from 81 families this morning, compared with 177 people from 41 families last night. – Bernama, September 27, 2023.