Four still missing after flash floods in Kedah

ALOR SETAR: There are still four people missing after flash floods were reported in Kedah on Wednesday (Aug 19) after an evening downpour.

The Kedah Civil Defense Force and Kedah Disaster Management Committee said, in a joint statement, that three people died while three more were injured and four are still missing from the heavy floods that affected multiple areas in the state, causing evacuations, including that of Covid-19 patients, in three districts.

"The rains on Wednesday evening caused major floods in the Yan, Kuala Muda and Bandar Baharu districts.

"The heavy rains caused a massive volume of water to gush down a stream on Gunung Jerai into the surrounding area in the Yan district, trapping 20 people on the Jerai Hill Resort.

"Many areas were severely affected and homes were damaged due to the rainfall

"There are victims still trapped in their respective homes.

"The search-and-rescue operation at Gunung Jerai ended at 11.30pm Wednesday while the search-and-rescue operation at Titi Hayun has resumed on Thursday (Aug 19) morning after it was halted at 1.30am.

"Those trapped at the resort due to the roads being blocked by a landslide will come down once given clearance and the roads have been made safe," the statement, issued on Thursday morning, read.

"In Titi Harun, there was one death and one injury while three people are still missing.

"In Batu Hampar, there was one death and one person is still missing.

"The flood waters are subsiding and currently, there are seven evacuation centres housing 26 families comprising 84 people.

"The SK Teroi evacuation centre for Covid-19 patients is still active but for now it is empty," the statement added.

Earlier, it was reported by The Star that 14 Covid-19 patients, 45 on home quarantine orders and another 60 people had to be evacuated due to the flash floods.

The Covid-19 patients were housed at SK Teroi.

Others were relocated to SMK Agama Yan.

In the Kuala Muda District, a Covid-19 positive family were effected by the flash flood. However, they were allowed to stay at their house as it was not badly affected.