KUALA TERENGGANU - A 40-day-old baby and seven other family members were among flood victims saved by firemen after their home in Kampung Pulau Rusa Hilir was flooded on Monday.
Kuala Terengganu Fire and Rescue Station (BBP) chief Rozizah Abni Hajar said firemen took 45 minutes to evacuate the family to a temporary evacuation centre (PPS) at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Paloh.
She explained six firemen were tasked to face the challenging currents throughout the rescue process because the river waters had risen suddenly in the area.
"Before arriving to the house, the river water was rising, and the firemen had braced the strong current of the river.
"By the time, the rescue team arrived at the house, the water levels had already risen to over one metre.
"However, with the cooperation given by the residents as well as the flood victim's family members, the evacuation process went smoothly," she said when contacted, here, on Tuesday.
Rozizah reminded all of the flood victims to prepare earlier to avoid any unwanted possibilities.
"There are also flood victims who initially refused to leave their homes, citing that they could take refuge on the roof of their homes, however, not long after these people had called the fire department, requesting to be evacuated.
"We urge flood victims to immediately evacuate when the rescue team asked to do so. When the water recedes, then you can go home," she said.
The State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) Secretariat said as of 10am on Tuesday, a total of 38,454 flood victims from 10,595 families were evacuated to 315 PPS throughout the district after their homes were flooded.
The second wave of floods in Terengganu this time around were considered the worst as districts namely Kemaman, Besut, Setiu, Hulu Terengganu, Marang, Kuala Terengganu, Kuala Nerus and Dungun were affected.
Kuala Terengganu Fire and Rescue Station (BBP) chief Rozizah Abni Hajar said firemen took 45 minutes to evacuate the family to a temporary evacuation centre (PPS) at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Paloh.
She explained six firemen were tasked to face the challenging currents throughout the rescue process because the river waters had risen suddenly in the area.
"Before arriving to the house, the river water was rising, and the firemen had braced the strong current of the river.
"By the time, the rescue team arrived at the house, the water levels had already risen to over one metre.
"However, with the cooperation given by the residents as well as the flood victim's family members, the evacuation process went smoothly," she said when contacted, here, on Tuesday.
Rozizah reminded all of the flood victims to prepare earlier to avoid any unwanted possibilities.
"There are also flood victims who initially refused to leave their homes, citing that they could take refuge on the roof of their homes, however, not long after these people had called the fire department, requesting to be evacuated.
"We urge flood victims to immediately evacuate when the rescue team asked to do so. When the water recedes, then you can go home," she said.
The State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) Secretariat said as of 10am on Tuesday, a total of 38,454 flood victims from 10,595 families were evacuated to 315 PPS throughout the district after their homes were flooded.
The second wave of floods in Terengganu this time around were considered the worst as districts namely Kemaman, Besut, Setiu, Hulu Terengganu, Marang, Kuala Terengganu, Kuala Nerus and Dungun were affected.