KOTA BARU: While many flood evacuees in Kelantan have been allowed to return home as the weather improves, concerns remain that this reprieve will be short-lived, with the state expected to face a second wave of floods this week.
Among them included self-employed Afrizam Ariff, who said he and his family had just returned to their home last Thursday after spending nearly a week at a temporary relief centre in the district.
Afrizam expressed mixed feelings about returning home, saying that while his family was excited to be back, they were worried that their house could be affected by another round of floods.
"My family and I moved to SK Melor on Nov 30 after floods hit our village.
"We stayed there for almost a week and recently returned home.
"We will clean our house a little, but we are worried that we might have to return to the relief centre this week," said the father of three from Melor.
Hassan Setapa, 58, said he and his wife have started making preparations to move to the relief centre again in case a second round of floods occurs.
"Last week, my wife and I were evacuated to the SK Tok Deh flood relief centre and only recently returned home.
"We will take more clothes this time as the second wave is expected to be worse than the previous one," said the father of two.
Meanwhile, checks at several flood relief centres in Tumpat revealed that many victims have started packing their belongings to return home.
A majority of the tents have been vacated over the past three days.
The National Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (PRABN) today has issued flood warnings for low-lying areas in Kelantan, Terengganu, and Negri Sembilan.
In Kelantan, areas within 5km of Sungai Kelantan, including Padang Kijang, Bendang Nyior, Bandar Tanah Merah, Kampung Cekok Ipoh, Kampung Belimbing, Kampung Panjang, Kampung Kerilla, Taman Kiara, Kampung Padang Kijang, Kampung Alor Pasir, Kampung Kelewek, Kampung Terasil, Kampung Kulim, Kampung Jerangau, and Kampung Chekok Ipoh in Tanah Merah, have been placed on alert.
The warning is in effect from 8am on Tuesday (Dec 10) until midnight on Friday (Dec 13).