Floods: 10,000 Orang Asli in seven Gua Musang settlements cut off

GUA MUSANG: Approximately 10,000 Orang Asli of the Temiar tribe residing in seven settlements around this district have been cut off after the Kuala Betis-Gua Musang road was hit by multiple disasters including landslides, a collapsed bridge and floods.

Galas assemblyman Mohd Syahbuddin Hashim said the affected settlements were Pos Tohoi, Pos Bihai, Pos Belatim, Pos Balar, Pos Gob, Pos Simpor and Kuala Betis.

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"Two temporary relief centres have been opened in Kuala Betis since Sunday (Dec 24) to accommodate about 100 victims from the Temiar tribe,” he told reporters here on Tuesday (Dec 26).

Mohd Syahbuddin said residents who were not involved in the evacuation but were cut off also received food supplies sent by the Social Welfare Department using lorries operated by members of the Malaysian Civil Defence Force since Monday (Dec 25) because of the rising water levels that only such vehicles could traverse.

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"We are monitoring the situation with the authorities to ensure that all needs and food supplies reach the affected households,” he said.

Roma Manan, 37, an Orang Asli resident of Kampung Jenot, said besides moving to nearby relief centres, residents also sought refuge on a hill in Kampung Lambok, Kuala Betis.

"The Orang Asli living near the Betis River have made early preparations to build shelters on the hill. Since the rain did not stop yesterday, they have all started moving there,” he said. – Bernama