BALING: A resident in Kupang near here described today's floods as the worst in memory as strong currents carried mud, debris and uprooted trees from a nearby hill into at least two villages.
Johari Abdul Latif, 50, from Kampung Telok Durian, said he was at this friend's home in Kampung Bok near a riverbank when the waters began rising after a heavy rainfall.
"Everything was normal, but suddenly, the Sungai Lata Cetek current grew very strong and washed down mud into the area. Besides the mud, there were also piles of tree branches swept down from the hill near Lata Cetek."
Johari said although flash floods were common in Kupang, this was the worst to strike the area.
"I have been living here all my life, and this is the worst floods ever. Most of the victims had no chance to react because everything happened so quickly," he said.
Based on initial information, at least 20 houses in Kampung Iboi and Kampung Tanjung Luas were damaged. The houses were inundated by floodwaters at 6pm after Sungai Kupang broke its banks and overflowed into the villages.
Civil Defense Force Baling officer Rasidah Kassim said rescuers had been deployed to the affected areas after they began receiving emergency calls at 6pm.