More than 1,000 Orang Asli from five villages in Gua Musang are affected by floods, with residents relying on boats and rafts for daily movement.
GUA MUSANG: A total of 278 families, comprising 1,093 Orang Asli residents, have been affected by floods in five villages here since last Sunday.
Kelantan and Terengganu Orang Asli Development Department (JAKOA) director Mohd Faedyzal Mohamed identified the impacted villages as Kampung Pasir Linggi, Kampung Machang, Kampung Kuala Koh, Kampung Aring 5 and Kampung Bering Lama.
The affected residents are from the Temiar, Bateq and Mendriq tribes.
Kampung Aring 5 recorded the highest number of affected residents with 83 families involving 343 people.
This was followed by Kampung Kuala Koh with 58 families (221 residents), Kampung Machang with 55 families (187 residents), Kampung Pasir Linggi with 51 families (206 residents) and Kampung Bering Lama with 31 families (136 residents).
“In total, five villages have been affected by the floods, and the situation is being closely monitored by JAKOA to ensure the safety of residents,” Mohd Faedyzal told reporters at Kampung Pasir Linggi.
He advised the community to remain vigilant and comply with instructions from authorities.
Residents were also urged to contact JAKOA immediately in the event of an emergency.
Kampung Orang Asli Pos Lebir Village Development and Security Committee chairman Jamlus Musa said about 20 pupils have used boats to cross flooded areas to reach Sekolah Kebangsaan Pasir Linggi.
The main road to the village began flooding on December 14, with water levels reaching chest height.
Water levels have since receded since yesterday, improving the situation.
“Throughout the flood period, residents relied on a boat and two bamboo rafts to move around and carry out their daily activities,” Jamlus said.
The Department of Irrigation and Drainage issued a flood warning for five districts in Kelantan last Monday, valid until this Friday.
The warning followed forecasts of continuous heavy rain that could cause river levels to rise above the danger level.
The districts involved are Gua Musang, Jeli, Kuala Krai, Tanah Merah and Pasir Mas.
The warning covers low-lying areas within a five-kilometre radius of the Sungai Kelantan and Sungai Golok basins. – Bernama
