State and federal ministers have denied any link between a Musang King durian plantation in Gunung Irau Forest Reserve is the cause for yesterday's devastating floods in the area near Baling, which killed three people.
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Takiyuddin Hassan confirmed there is a 52-acre forest plantation upstream from the area near Kupang, where residents experienced what they described as the worst floods ever to hit the area.
However, he said there is no active logging and that the plantation was given its permit in 2019, and described the flooding as a "natural disaster caused by various reasons".
He also said the logs washed down by the floodwaters were uprooted trees and not logged timber as speculated.
Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, meanwhile, said there is no scientific evidence to show the floods, which submerged homes and displaced more than 600 people in 12 villages, were linked to the durian plantation.
He said the real cause is likely to be the continuous accumulation of water in the catchment pond in the mountain but is waiting for further expert reports.
"But if it is confirmed that the flooding is due to logging activities, the state government will take action," China Press reported him as saying.
July 4: #Floods killed at least two persons and destroyed villages in #Baling, Kedah. At Kampung Iboi, locals said the disaster was one of the worst in memory. Hundreds were placed in flood shelters. Locals blame development in Gunung Inas. Here's forest loss (red) in the area. pic.twitter.com/rvPzaAvtCG
— macarangatweets (@macarangatweets) July 5, 2022
Ironically, last year, the MB had linked smaller floods in the area to the durian plantation, which he blamed on the previous Pakatan Harapan government.
"The mud floods have been threatening residents living on the river banks for the past few years. The river has become shallow, and water flows into residences," Sanusi said in a statement last year.
He then said the Pakatan Harapan government, who took over in 2013, had cancelled a poverty alleviation rubber plantation scheme there and allowed a durian plantation by a private firm.
The scheme, called Ladang Rakyat, was started by the PAS administration.
He said when PAS came back into power in Kedah, he had in July 2020 instructed a halt in the plantation activities and for cleared areas to be planted with plants which could cover the soil.
Today, he told reporters the state government would study why the replanted trees were unable to absorb the rain, causing flooding.
For the local MP Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim, however, the flood meant the durian plantations must be stopped.
He said he previously submitted a memorandum opposing the project to Sanusi.
"The memorandum was signed by 900 residents, who have protested the project many times.
"This project was approved by the state government before, this issue has been going, not just for one month but for many years," Bernama quoted him as saying.
Double the amount of rainfall in the catchment area
Meanwhile, Environment and Water Ministry director-general Zaini Ujang said the amount of rainfall recorded at the affected villages was "not too heavy" at about 64mm within three hours.
However, he said the Meteorological Department recorded double the usual amount of rainfall upstream in Gunung Inas.
"This meant the man-made structures in the higher areas could not cope, causing debris to flow downstream, especially to Sungai Kupang in Kampung Iboi, causing three fatalities and other damages and losses," he said.
To overcome this in Baling and other similar areas like Janda Baik, which also experienced flooding recently, he said there would be more monitoring of upstream conditions.
Bunds will also be built in riverside areas which are prone to flooding, while structures will be built to stop debris from flowing downstream, he said.
Zaini did not comment on the forest plantation upstream.
Homes totally submerged
In yesterday's incident, floodwaters reaching rooftops and carrying mud and debris swept into villages on the river bank, displacing more than 300 people, starting 4pm yesterday.
Affected villages include Kapung Iboi, Kampung Padang Empal and Kampung Telok Durian in Kupang.
This morning police confirmed a 52-year-old woman, her pregnant daughter-in-law, 23, and her son, 14, were found dead.
The bodies of the women were found hugging under a pile of wood debris, about 100 metres from their home in Kampung Iboi, while the teenager's body was found later in a separate location.
Residents, including senior citizens who have lived there since childhood, said they have never experienced floods this bad and described how they had to climb trees and cling onto logs to survive the rushing floodwaters.
Disabled residents had to be carried out through neck-deep water, they described. - Mkini
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