GEORGE TOWN: Forest eco-parks, state forests and hiking areas in permanent forest reserves in Kedah will be closed temporarily starting Tuesday (Oct 18).
In a statement by the Kedah Forestry Department, the temporary closure was due to the monsoon season, especially in the northern part of Peninsular Malaysia at the moment.
The reopening date will be announced at a later date.
However, the temporary closure does not include the eco-jungle park that has been privatised.
The Kedah Forestry Department also apologised for any inconvenience caused.
Continuous rainfall has left many parts of Kedah inundated, with some areas suffering from major flooding.
In Langkawi, the flooding in Kampung Teluk Yu in Ayer Hangat has reached dangerous levels.
Other areas on the island such as Kampung Belanga Pecah, Kampung Kilim, Bukit Kemboja, Sungai Melaka, Empangan Padang Saga and Kampung Telaga Ayer Hangat were not spared.
Earlier, the Perak Forestry Department also said that eco-forests within reserves in the state would be off limits to the public from Nov 1 until a date to be determined.
A similar notice had been issued by the Selangor Forestry Department which said that all hiking and recreational activities at permanent forest reserves (HSK) in Selangor will not be allowed from Nov 1 due to the monsoon season.
It said that the forest reserves would be closed until Jan 31.
On Oct 17, the Meteorological Department said Tropical Storm Nesat located northwest of the Philippines was moving west towards Hainan Island, China, and was expected to morph into a typhoon.
On Oct 12, several houses and business premises in Alor Setar were affected by flash floods caused by the high tide phenomenon.
