ALOR STAR: Authorities from the state and federal governments must take immediate action to prevent flash floods from recurring in Kampung Iboi and the residential areas near Sungai Kupang in Baling.
The Iboi Charitable Welfare Organisation has made an appeal for proper action to be taken to reduce the risk of disaster as three flash floods have been reported in the area up to yesterday.
"Yesterday after just 30 minutes of heavy rain, the water column happened and the current flowed at a rapid pace, sinking the Bailey bridge in Kampung Iboi.
"The strong flow of water along with debris caused electric poles and bridges to tilt and have been left hanging, while some were swept away. The trauma and pain of the people of Kampung Iboi and those living along Sungai Kupang, which had just calmed down, returned to the painful state previously.
"All the aid and equipment that was just received were destroyed. Fences were destroyed, livestock drowned, and equipment was flooded. The question is, until when do we have to endure this kind of torture and suffering?"
Yesterday, heavy rain at about 5pm caused the water level of Sungai Kupang to rise so much that the recently built Bailey bridge in Kampung Iboi was submerged.
The river overflowed quickly from what was believed to be caused by a sandbank breaking and being swept away by the rushing current.
The organisation said the proposed follow-up action for the short term as a result of the 2022 Debris Flood Geological Disaster Study Report should be acted upon urgently.
It said that the residents and flood victims must not be told to accept the results of the study while the government does not implement the actions recommended by experts.
"All the ridges and water reservoirs on the top of the mountain must be immediately destroyed. We urge for a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to investigate the cause of this disaster and bring the guilty parties to justice.
"What is the reading of the automatic rain gauge at the top of Gunung Inas? How loud are the flood warning sirens? How many times have dialogues and explanations about this flood been carried out to the villagers? How much of Sungai Kupang deposits have been dredged and dumped? All that remains are questions and suggestions.
"Our lives are at stake every time a flood occurs," said PKAI.