BALING – The incident involving water column phenomenon and mud floods that hit several villages in the district were allegedly caused by the Musang King durian project in Gunung Inas, here.
The allegation was admitted by residents of the area, especially the residents of Kg Iboi who were badly affected by the incident that occurred yesterday afternoon.
Sopian Mohd Aziz, 53, said the water column and mud floods were the first instance in the 50 years he had lived in Kg Iboi.
“We understand that there is a reservoir pool the size of two football fields made on the mountain for the Musang King project.
“It is understood that the project started five years ago with the worst event being yesterday when Kg Iboi was completely paralysed,” he said when met at the scene today.
Apart from that, Sopian also claimed that Lata Celak, which used to be a tourist attraction, had “died” following the commencement of the Musang King project. This is due to the river water becoming murky, making it unsuitable for leisure activities.
Earlier, Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor declined to confirm whether the floods were caused by durian plantations in Gunung Inas.
Sanusi said, the accumulated rainwater in the Gunung Inas channel is the main cause of the water column phenomenon and mud floods, which was similar to the phenomenon that occurred in Gunung Jerai in Yan last August.
Meanwhile, another victim, Nurul Halimah Kuin, 29, said she heard a sound as if a bomb had exploded when the Kg Iboi bridge collapsed due to the water column phenomenon.
During the incident, Halimah recalled she was running to save herself when her bakery, which was located less than 50m from the bridge was destroyed by the floods.
This is the first time such a disaster has occurred in Kg Iboi. Previously we had only experienced floods up to ankle level.
“I personally did not think my shop would be washed away by the floods.
“We all know that there are durian plantations up there, and it is very likely that this disaster is caused by that area,” she said.
Halimah, who lost almost RM200,000 due to her cake shop being washed away by the floods, said she could not sleep last night because she was still traumatised following the incident.
She said the water rose too fast to chest level and she did not have time to save any items including her personal documents.
“I am thankful that my family is safe, and I have to bounce back despite the loss of my source of income,” she said, adding that she had started the business three years ago.
Meanwhile, images and videos have emerged on social media, suggesting that there have been extensive land clearings around Gunung Inas prior to the floods.
The images include the appearance of excavations like mini dams on the slopes.
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In the 4pm incident yesterday, three family members went missing after strong currents swept their house away as floodwaters hit Kg Iboi, Kupang here, yesterday.
The victims include housewife Salmah Mat Akib, 53, her pregnant daughter-in-law Nurul Anis Abu Hassan, 23, and son Mohd Khairul Ikhwan Nor Azman, 14.
The Fire and Rescue Department announced that the remains of Salmah and Anis were found at about 9.30am, while Khairul Ikhwan’s body was recovered at 11.55am, today. – The Vibes, July 5, 2022
