Number of Kampar flood evacuees rises to 364

The number of evacuees from seven flooded villages in this district south of Ipoh has risen to 364.

Kampar Fire and Rescue Service chief Mohd Yamin Naib said all of them were being accommodated at SMK Kampar here.

The evacuees comprised members of 95 families, with 49 of the families from Kampung Baru Kuala Dipang, 16 from Kampung Batu 20, fourteen from Kampung Nyior, 10 from Kampung Kuala Dipang, three from Kampung Chabang 2, two from Kampung Pasir, and one from Kampung Malaya, he said in a statement.

He also said 22 people from 14 families did not move to the evacuation centre.

Mohd Yamin said the floodwaters were receding and the evacuees were expected to return to their homes soon.

Meanwhile, Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said the state government had asked the authorities to determine whether the floods were caused by the shallow Kampar and Dipang rivers or heavy rain of late.

The Perak Drainage and Irrigation Department had been instructed to inspect the banks of the two rivers to ensure that they did not give way and flood the riverine villages, he told reporters after visiting the evacuees at the school.

He said the Social Welfare Department would work out the aid to be given to the evacuees.

Asked about the flood situation in the Batang Padang district, Zambry said floods had affected about 200 people in Kampung Baru Chenderiang and Kampung Batu 3, Temoh, but they were not evacuated.