The worst floods in a decade that have rampaged the Peninsular could cause massive losses reaching RM1 billion as power stations shut down and fishing vessels damaged, slowing down or halting commercial and social activities.
Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) Careline noted that in Kelantan, a total of 230 electrical substations providing power to eight districts within the state have been shut down due to flooding as of 6pm today due to safety concerns for local residents, according to Bernama. The eight districts include Pasir Mas, Machang, Kota Bharu, Tanah Merah, Pasir Puteh, Tumpat, Bachok and Kuala Krai.
Earlier, TNB announced that electricity supply in several areas around Marang and Kuala Terengganu have been cut temporarily to ensure public safety following heavy rain and flooding incidents. Local residents have been reminded to avoid using electrical appliances and to ensure the main switch is turned off to prevent electric shocks.
Also, in Terengganu, fishing vessels of local fishermen reportedly drifted kilometres due to high waves, causing RM1.4 million in damages based on preliminary estimation.
The flood situation this year is worse than that of 2014, and more worrying as the flood might be aggravated by volatile high tides in the South China Sea and the Straits of Melaka which typically peak during this period, said Deputy Prime Minister cum Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in a press conference after opening the Barisan Nasional (BN) Convention in Shah Alam, Selangor.
More than 82,000 relief and rescue officers have been mobilised to assist the flood victims, revealed Ahmad Zahid who is also National Disaster Management (NADMA) Committee Chairman, adding that the forecast of Malaysian Meteorological Department has pointed to a reduction in rainfall intensity, the flood situation might not escalate.
As at 8:00pm Dec 1, the nationwide total of flood evacuees fell to 143,509, from the height of 153,411 recorded at 12:00pm Dec 1, according to relief statistics published by the National Disaster Command Centre (NDCC) through Portal Bencana.
Bernama reported on Sunday that thirteen fishermen in Kampung Telaga Papan, Setiu, Terengganu suffered substantial losses when their boats were swept away by huge tidal waves early this morning.
Setiu District Officer Ahmad rizal Mamat said in the incident reported 3am, a total of eight Class A and B fishing boats and 10 fibre boats anchored at the beach jetty were severely damaged.
“The total losses suffered by the 13 fisherman is estimated to be RM1.4 million,” said the District Officer when contacted by the national news agency.
Almost all the boats that had drifted away were successfully brought ashore by heavy equipment such as bulldozers and tractors belonging to villagers who volunteered to help.
Boat skipper Khairul Hassan Mohammad, 53, said his Class A fishing vessel and two fibre boats were severely damaged due to the high tide phenomenon at midnight last night, adding that the fishing vessel is worth RM120,000 while a fibre boat RM20,000.
“What is certain is that the engines of all the boats have been damaged. The price of a boat engine is not cheap,” said Khairul Hassan, noting that it was the first time he experienced such damage. Even during the severe floods in 2014, all his boats had been safe, he added.
Meanwhile, another boatman, Khairul Azman Abdullah, 44, said he was ore concerned about lost income while waiting for his two Class A fishing vessels to be repaired.
He said he had docked his fishing boats and had not been to sea due to the monsoon season and must now wait for the damaged boats to undergo repair work that would take a long time.
Latest flood updates as at 12am Dec 2:
The number of flood victims in Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Negeri Sembilan declined as at 12am Dec 2, an indication that the flood situation has improved.
However, Pahang and Johor still reported increasing number of evacuees.
Perak was the least-affected state reported just 20 evacuees on Nov 30. But nearly a day later the flood hit again to displace 340 locals as at 12am Monday.
Flood situation in Melaka was seemingly under control with lesser flood victims while the number of evacuees remained unchanged in Perlis since 8pm Dec 1.
Selangor has fully recovered after the state’s relief centre closed at 1:13pm today.
Total number of evacuees by states from Nov 30 Saturday (6am) to Dec 2 Monday (12am):
