A HILL resort, several villages, and residential areas around Gunung Jerai in Yan, Kedah were hit by floods believed to have been caused by water surges from waterfall areas at the foot of the mountain today.

Kedah state fire and rescue service director Sayani Saidon said the incident left one worker from a hill resort missing, and that his team had launched a search and rescue operation.

He said three employees of Jerai Hill Resort, who were caught in the flash flood, were rescued by the department, while one person was still missing.

He said fifteen other people were rescued by the department in Sg Petani and Yan.

Sayani said it had received an emergency call at 4.30pm regarding the incident.

“Three fire engines with 24 personnel were dispatched to the scene of a landslide near Gunung Jerai, Merbok and Sg Petani in Yan district where the flash floods were reported.”

Sayani said four people are currently stranded on Gunung Jerai.

“One of the rescue personnel was injured on the shoulder and was rushed to the hospital.

“A special operation team has been activated to help with the rescue efforts.”

He added that around 10 other villages at the foot of Gunung Jerai also suffered from flash floods.

“The search and rescue operations are still underway,” he said.

On social media, videos clips of the damage done to homes, roads and vehicles, along with trees being uprooted by the water surge and flash floods, have gone viral after some residents managed to record the incident on their mobile phones.

Jerai lawmaker Sabri Azit said the heavy rain in Gunung Jerai caused the river to overflow and flood several houses nearby.

“My special officer Muzaini Azizan is in Kg Sg Badak in Gurun, one of the areas affected by the flash floods.

“Singkir, Teroi and other areas in Yan are also affected,” he said, adding that the villagers have been relocated.

“We worry that if they continue to stay in their homes with the heavy rain, something untoward might happen.” – August 18, 2021.