A heavy downpour yesterday (18 August) had caused seven areas around Gurun and Yan in Kedah to be hit by flash floods, which was lead by a water overflowing from the banks of Gunung Jerai.
After the incident, netizens had flooded social media platforms with photos and videos of the disaster. Meanwhile, Jerai Member of Parliament (MP) Tuan Sabri Azit took to Facebook to explain that the river banks had turn shallow after sand being deposited at the river overtime.
Meanwhile, it was also reported that the areas affected include Kampung Sungai Badak Gurun, Singkir, Teroi and other areas around the Yan district.
Gurun and Yan are located at the east and west of Gunung Jerai.
“Action had been taken earlier to relocate residents to a safer location. We are concerned that if the residents continue to stay in their homes there, the heavy rain will cause untoward incidents.” he said.
Nonetheless, around 10 villages at the foot of Gunung Jerai and several housing areas in Yan were hit by the flash flood.
In an interview with FMT, one of the victims, Mohammad Firdaus Mohamad, said the floods swept through the area at a rapid pace and came without warning.
He explain that there had been a heavy downpour at Gunung Jerai but they were not prepared for the flood as the rain over their side was not as heavy as the downpour at Gunung Jerai.
“Shockingly, at around 3 p.m., water column came cascading down the Seri Perigi waterfall. The currents were so strong and flowed heavily, destroying the area.” he said.
Firdaus said the villages located at the foot of Gunung Jerai were badly affected, especially those nearby rivers were the worst hit. In addition, Yan town, located by the sea, also experienced bad floods.
“The sea-level happened to be high, which meant that the flood waters did not recede quickly.”
On the other hand, the fire and rescue department said they have received many reports of the floods and they are currently conducting rescue operations.
Watch the report from Astro Awani here:
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