KUALA KANGSAR: Sultan Dr Nazrin Shah has instructed all state department and agencies to cancel all forms of New Year celebrations following the worsening flood situation in Perak.

He said the celebrations included concerts and New Year's Eve countdown.

He said the Sultan Azlan Shah Foundation will donate two pairs of school uniforms and shoes to children affected by the floods.

He also urged Muslims to hold solat hajat (special prayers) on Friday.

The Sultan and his consort, Raja Permaisuri Tuanku Zara Salim, Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir visited flood victims in Lenggong, Gerik.

At 9am Thursday, some 90,250 people have been evacuated in five states with Kelantan having the highest number at 32,343, followed by Terengganu (28,991), Pahang (24,316), Perak (4,335) and Perlis (265).

In Kuala Terengganu, the state government has also ordered the cancellation of scheduled entertainment programmes and New Year eve festivities because of the floods ravaging the state.

Deputy state secretary (management) Samiun Salleh said the state government was focused on handling the floods.

“As such, the Government has ordered the cancellation of all scheduled entertainment programmes and New Year eve festivities,” he said in a statement, Thursday.

Samiun, who is also acting mayor of Kuala Terengganu, said entertainment programmes at this time would only touch on the sensitivities of the people.