Gerik hit by worst floods in 20 years, say residents

GEORGE TOWN: Residents in Gerik woke up to the worst floods they have ever seen in 20 years.

Muhammad Hafizul Mohd Jonid, 22, shared pictures of the flood along Jalan Takong Datok, which occurred around 4.30am on Facebook.

“We were not prepared for this, but luckily our restaurant was not badly affected as the place is on higher ground.

“Now, we need to clean up before we open for business tomorrow,” he said yesterday.

Heavy rain on Saturday night caused flash floods in several areas in Gerik, Lenggong and Batu Gajah in Perak.

The affected areas were Kampung Air Suda, Kampung Ramasamy, Kampung Padang, Jalan Takong Datok and the market in Gerik, Kampung Beng in Lenggong and Batu 3 of Jalan Tanjung Tualang in Batu Gajah.

A spokesman for the Perak Fire and Rescue Department said one person was trapped in the market after flood waters rose to about 1.2m.

“He was rescued by a boat and moved to a safe place,” he told Bernama.

The water, however, receded quickly and after discussions with leaders of the affected villages, it was decided that the victims need not be moved to flood relief centres.