Elderly man among 3 dead as flood, landslide hit Gunung Jerai

SG PETANI – The body of an elderly man was found near Gunung Jerai in Yan yesterday, following a flood brought about by hours-long heavy rain.

Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said this brings the total flood fatality to three – all men and whose identities have yet to be verified.

He said three other individuals have been reported missing following a massive landslide at the mountain, after rain waters surged down the slopes.

One of the missing persons is believed to have been in the vicinity of a house that collapsed at Salak Denai Chalet. During a search-and-rescue operation, two people were rescued.

“We also received reports that there are victims trapped on the roofs of houses in Kg Setol, but they have been rescued,” said Sanusi, upon arrival in Yan – located near the northern foothill of the mountain and where neighbourhoods are badly affected by the flood.

A survey by Getaran – The Vibes’ Bahasa Malaysia sister portal – at the area found that the authorities are working hard to help evacuate residents.

Cleaning contractor Marshirul Umar, 39, said the disaster happened too fast, resulting in some of his employees being trapped at the Titi Hayun resort on the mountain.

“Five of my workers were doing cleaning work there. But at 4pm, they called me to ask for help as they could not get out of the area due to heavy water flows.

“They could save only themselves by running to higher ground. Because of that, I had to come to their rescue by bringing a lorry, and at that time, the current was too strong.”

Denying that the tragedy is caused by logging on the forested mountain, Sanusi said the strong current is due to waterhead gushing down to the foot of Gunung Jerai.

He insisted that there is no tree-felling activity at the mountain that may have led to the disaster.

“The Gunung Jerai Forest Reserve is gazetted as a protected area, so there is no timber activity there.

“The incident is not caused by logging, but the waterhead phenomenon that caused all the logs to flow down.”

Affected areas include Sg Kunyit, Sg Teroi and Sg Puteri Mandi, where emergency reports were first made at about 5.30pm yesterday.

Sanusi said: “According to reports, the flood has affected the base of the mountain and areas near rivers, such as Perigi, Singkir, Titi Teras, Teroi Bukit, Kg Acheh, Kg Setol, Kg Lubuk Boi, Kg Permatang Keramat and Pekan Yan Besar.”

Those whose homes are damaged or badly flooded have been evacuated to temporary relief centres in two schools in Yan, with individuals separated based on three categories – Covid-19-positive (14 people), precautionary quarantine (45) and normal (at least 60).

“A disaster operations control centre has also been activated, and can be reached at 04-702-8799,” said the state leader.

Flash floods have also affected other areas in the northern region, including Penang Island. – The Vibes, August 19, 2021