YAN – The upstream water-rush phenomenon near Gunung Jerai yesterday was a “mini tsunami”, said residents, due to its strong currents that felled trees and broke bridges in the blink of an eye.
Salwa Md Isa, 34, described it as such after watching the unusually strong water flow, which resulted in a massive flood that affected the surrounding areas.
“I grew up in this village, and this is the first time I have seen such an incident,” she told reporters in Kg Setol here last night.
“The upstream water-rush has happened before, but not to such an extent until bridges and roads collapse, cars washed away and people die… I am very scared.”
Salwa said the incident occurred at about 5pm and the waters started to recede at about 7.30pm, adding that due to this, the water supply to her house has been cut.
Tolong doakan orang2 dekat Yan, Kedah selamat dan baik-baik saja ???
— Aneen (@budaksalji_) August 18, 2021
Kalini banjir teruk! Air melimpah dari Gunung Jerai. Harap budak2 tak mandi dan cepat2 berteduh. Titi Hayun tu dah la ramai pernah mati ? pic.twitter.com/UljnfeigxZ
Meanwhile, Mohd Nasir Shuib, 41, had a horrifying experience when he found the body of an elderly man near a banana tree at 5.30pm.
“I saw the water in the river near my house flowing rapidly, and it sounded different. The water flowed so fast that all the logs were washed away until my and my neighbour’s houses were inundated.”
He said heavy rain at the peak of the mountain over the last few days may have caused water to accumulate before suddenly overflowing.
“This is the worst incident. The town of Yan has never been flooded, but today (yesterday) it has… now efforts to rescue the victims are ongoing.”
Resident Jaafar Man, 62, said for now, he and his family are taking refuge at a higher-located building for fear of another rise in water levels.
Jaafar is the owner of Kenari Nature Park Camp in Titi Hayun near Gunung Jerai, and said the campsite has been inundated with water and sand up to waist-level.
“For now, my seven family members and I are safe. We still have electricity and sufficient food and drinks. Only the water supply has been cut off.
“Heavy rain in the afternoon has caused many camp facilities – including the homestay, surau, pond, meeting area and canteen – to be inundated.
“Many mirrors and building structures are also broken after being hit by logs,” he said, adding that he has been running the camp for 21 years. – Bernama, August 19, 2021
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