SUNGAI PETANI – Thirteen employees at the biggest resort on Gunung Jerai, which was hit by deadly landslides and floods, were evacuated safely yesterday evening after rescue workers had cleared debris along the single road between the peak and the base.
However, six other staff members from Jerai Hill Resort have remained there to monitor the resort following the tragedy that occurred on Wednesday.
The 13 employees, who appeared emotionally shaken and tired, came down in their own vehicles after the rescue teams from the Civil Defence, and the Fire and Rescue Department cleared the road.
All 19 of them were stranded when the unusual rain caused earth on the slopes to collapse and an avalanche of muddy water to gush down the mountain. Most areas in Yan and Kuala Muda districts near the mountain were also badly flooded.
The Kuala Muda Public Works Department had to close a major bridge over Sg Tupah at Merbok as rushing waters from the mountain brought trees, mud and other flotsam to hit the bridge which connects Singkir in Merbok to Sg Petani.
The floods claimed four lives and caused injuries to several people.
Thousands of residents are struggling to clear the mud and debris outside their homes. Many have to clear two-inch high sludge caked on floors inside their homes.
Household items, including electrical devices worth millions of ringgit, were damaged during the disaster.
Environmentalists have pointed to forest clearing and mining as possible factors in contributing to the tragedy.
However, Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor today swore that there has been no logging at the mountain, saying that the floods were caused by unusually heavy rain at the peak. – The Vibes, August 20, 2021
