KOTA BARU: The Department of Orang Asli Development (Jakoa) has identified six Orang Asli settlements in the Lojing highlands, Gua Musang, as being at risk of flooding from Sungai Nenggiri and landslides if another wave of heavy rain occurs during the current northeast monsoon.
Jakoa Kelantan and Terengganu deputy director Roslina Bun said the settlements have been placed under a cautionary monitoring level due to their vulnerability along access routes to the villages.
The areas involved are Pos Lebir, Pos Balar, Pos Bihai, Pos Belatim, Pos GOB, and Pos Simpor, home to more than 5,000 residents, or about 1,000 households.
"These areas experience similar natural disasters almost every year, leaving residents stranded or cut off when access roads are affected," she said.
Roslina said Orang Asli residents are usually not evacuated to relief centres, but instead relocate to safer areas on higher ground near their homes.
"In such situations, Jakoa delivers food baskets to assist affected residents," she added.
She said the department maintains constant communication with village heads and tok batin to relay weather forecasts and obtain updates on road conditions.
"Jakoa receives continuous updates from tok batin and Orang Asli Village Development and Security Committee chairmen on weather conditions and access routes," she said.
Roslina added that community leaders are generally alert and responsive to daily information shared by Jakoa, ensuring residents are prepared for any eventuality.
While the communities are usually not directly affected by floods, prolonged heavy rain could disrupt main access roads, making it difficult for residents to obtain food supplies and carry out daily activities.
"The most frequently disrupted route is the access to Pos Lebir, where roads are often inundated by river overflows and landslides in interior areas, causing damage and closures," she said. - NST
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