Mada chairman Ismail Salleh said nearly all the crops nearing harvest were destroyed after being flooded over the past few days.

He said the losses were calculated based on an average yield of five tonnes of padi per hectare. A formal loss census would be conducted soon to facilitate compensation for the affected farmers.

“We are still in the pre-census phase and awaiting instructions from the agriculture department to begin the formal assessment,” Bernama reported him as saying, adding that any compensation or insurance payment would depend on the outcome of the census.

Ismail said flooding in the region could be significantly mitigated once the Sungai Anak Bukit and Sungai Pendang flood mitigation plan is completed.

The project is designed to manage up to 80% of upstream water flow, offering a long-term solution to recurring flood risks.

“Another contributing factor is rainfall. Kedah typically receives an annual average of 2,100mm, and as of October, we’ve already recorded 1,400mm,” he said.

Since last Friday, several districts across Kedah have been affected by flooding. As of this morning, 164 people from 51 families remain housed at two temporary evacuation centres.