YAN: Several villages and residential areas around Gunung Jerai here were hit by floods believed to have been caused by water surges from the waterfall areas at the foot of the mountain today.
A Kedah Fire and Rescue Department spokesman said the incident that occurred at around 4 pm also caused water to swiftly overflow and inundate residential areas, causing damage to roads and houses.
"The Kedah state operation team received a call from the MERS 999 system that flash floods and landslides had occurred around Gunung Jerai. The team then mobilised personnel from three nearby stations to the location of the incident.
"Based on preliminary reports, a landslide occurred at Kilometre 8, Gunung Jerai and two flash floods around Yan involving several villages," he said in a statement today.
He said, the floods also affected several areas around Merbok, Sungai Petani.
According to him, the team was still receiving calls stating that there were individuals trapped in flood areas.
He said rescue teams had conducted searches around the peak of Gunung Jerai and several other settlements located near the affected areas.
"Search and rescue work is currently underway," he said.
Meanwhile, the Kedah Civil Defence Force also said in a statement that they received reports regarding flash floods hitting several villages in the Kuala Muda district.
Kampung Baru Gurun, Kampung Sungai Badak, Kampung Sungai Kunyit Atas, Kampung Tandop Batu and Kampung Sungai Batu are among the affected villages.
The Kedah Civil Defence Force stated that the water level rose to 1.5 metres, forcing the residents to be evacuated.
"Two relief centres have been opened at Surau Taman Gurun Jaya and House No 126 Kampung Sungai Badak 3, with 27 victims from seven families being placed at both the centres," the statement read.
It added that the weather was improving as floodwaters begin to recede, although it was still drizzling.
Meanwhile, videos clips of the damage done to homes, roads and vehicles, along with trees being uprooted by the water surge and flash floods have gone viral on social media after some residents managed to record the incident on their mobile phones.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Wed Aug 18 2021
Several villages and residential areas around Gunung Jerai here were hit by floods believed to have been caused by water surges from the waterfall areas at the foot of the mountain today. - Social media pic
Astronomers reveal 3D structure of an alien planet's atmosphere
Astronomers find three layers on a scorching gas planet orbiting a star larger and hotter than the sun.
Public flips car involved in road accident to rescue child
According to JBPM, members of the public at the scene took initial action to rescue the victim before the fire brigade arrived.
Ramsay reveals hundreds of lucky cat statues stolen from new restaurant
Gordon Ramsay says about 477 Japanese cat models called maneki-neko were stolen from his Lucky Cat 22 Bishopsgate restaurant.
Zayn Rayyan case: Two child witnesses complete testimony today
So far, 20 prosecution witnesses, including the two children, have been called for this trial, according to the Deputy Public Prosecutor.
Macron says he will tell Trump not to be weak with Putin in Washington visit
Emmanuel Macron says showing any weakness to Russia's Vladimir Putin would make it harder to deal with China and Iran.
Israeli PM Netanyahu says Hamas will pay for not returning Shiri Bibas
Netanyahu accuse Hamas of acting "in an unspeakably cynical manner" by placing body of a Gaza woman in the coffin instead of Shiri Bibas.
Trump pulls US out of key global climate assessment, sources say
The US is a co-chair along with Malaysia of a working group on climate mitigation, or ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Japan to court Tesla on Nissan investment, FT reports
The group hopes Tesla will invest strategically, believing it's interested in acquiring Nissan's US plants, the report says.
185 children linked to GISB handed over to families - Exco
The children have been handed over to their families on bond with conditions by the court.
IRS fires 6,000 employees as Trump slashes US government
The move will eliminate roughly 6% of the agency's workforce in the midst of the busy tax-filing season.
Elon Musk wields chainsaw at conservative gathering, a gift from Argentina's Milei
This is the chainsaw for bureaucracy, says Elon Musk.
![[OPINION] For never again the world must know more about the Khojaly genocide](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/41740112820_KhazarUniversity.jpg "[OPINION] For never again the world must know more about the Khojaly genocide")
[OPINION] For never again the world must know more about the Khojaly genocide
For Azerbaijanis, the Khojaly genocide is more than a historical event - it is a collective trauma that shapes their identity and worldview.
Israeli military says body released by Hamas is not of a hostage
Two bodies were identified as infants, but a third, believed to be their mother, Shiri, didn't match any hostage and remains unidentified.
Key takeaways from Trump-Putin talks: Ukraine, energy, NATO, sanctions
Here's what is known so far about what was discussed.
![[COLUMNIST] Whose rights? Islam, eurocentrism and the limits of human rights](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-09/41726025526_UnitedNations.jpg "[COLUMNIST] Whose rights? Islam, eurocentrism and the limits of human rights")
[COLUMNIST] Whose rights? Islam, eurocentrism and the limits of human rights
For as long as rights are understood on Occidental terms, problems would inevitably remain. What is needed is an appreciation of diversity.
Argentina court clears 3 accused in singer Liam Payne's death
The court upheld the pre-trial detention of a hotel employee and a restaurant waiter held since last month.
Spanish ex-soccer boss Rubiales sentenced to pay fine over kiss without consent
Court also acquits Luis Rubiales' three co-defendants accused of attempting to coerce Jenni Hermoso into saying the kiss was consensual.
King’s health significantly improved after treatment - PM
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says he had the opportunity to seek an audience with the King twice during his official visit to Bahrain.
Why Trump wants the US Department of Education shut down
The vast majority of US children attend the country's free public schools, which are a big employer and economic engine.
How did a jet flip upside down on a Toronto runway and everyone survive?
Here is what we know about this accident and similar crashes.