Police dismiss viral news floods caused by Kenyir Lake overflow

Police dismiss viral news floods caused by Kenyir Lake overflow

The police today dismissed as fake news a viral social media video message that overflowing water from the Kenyir Lake is the reason for the floods in Terengganu.

Hulu Terengganu District Police chief DSP Mohd Adli Mat Daud said the water in the lake was at the normal level of 140 metres and overflowing only takes place when the level reaches 146 metres.

He also said that the news in social media of secret gates at the Kenyir Dam that have been opened as the cause of the floods was untrue.

“There are no secret gates at the Kenyir Dam. Water in the lake will only overflow when it rises above the overflow channels at the dam,” he told reporters during a patrol in an amphibious boat in Kampung Matang.

Mohd Adli said such news is uploaded onto social media almost every year during the flood season to cause panic and worry among the people.

“Spreading such fake news is an offence under the Communications and Multimedia Act as well as the Penal Code. Offenders can be sentenced to jail and fined,” he said.

He also said that the video circulated on social media is an old one which is unrelated to the current floods.

More than 5,000 people have been affected by the floods in Terengganu as of this evening.

-- BERNAMA