2 Kedah districts declared disaster sites following floods

 

Three men were feared dead in the floods in Yan while another four remain missing. (Bernama pic)

ALOR SETAR: The Yan and Kuala Muda districts have been declared disaster sites by the state government following massive floods yesterday.

The coastal town of Yan was inundated after muddy waters came rushing down Gunung Jerai. The water level reached above 1.5m in many places in a couple of hours.

Three men, who have yet to be identified, were declared dead in the floods in Yan and four remain missing.

A district officer told FMT that at least 720 homes were affected in the floods.

Areas near Yan such as Merbok and Gurun also experienced flash floods of up to 1.5m, resulting in 42 residents being evacuated.

Menteri besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said the “level one” disaster classification would enable more help to be channelled to the areas using state government machinery.

“We express deep sorrow over this incident, especially in Yan, which has claimed several lives and affected the lives of many.

“I extend my condolences to all families who have lost their loved ones,” he said.

Sanusi advised NGOs and volunteers to follow instructions from the state disaster operations centre.

Yesterday, he denied claims that the flash floods were caused by logging, as the Gunung Jerai area is part of protected forests.

Meanwhile, Bernama reported that the search and rescue operation for the four flood victims in Yan resumed this morning.

Kedah fire and rescue department assistant director (operations) Mohamadul Ehsan Mohd Zain also said that 19 employees of the Jerai Hill Resort, who were trapped at the top of Gunung Jerai, could not be brought down as the road down was still cut off by a landslide. - FMT