LANGKAWI: Several areas in Kuah and Ayer Hangat were hit by flash floods today following several hours of heavy rain and strong winds today.
Langkawi Malaysian Civil Defence Force officer Captain Ahmad Shahfikri Darus said among the affected areas were Kampung Teluk Yu, Kampung Kilim and Kampung Telaga Ayer Hangat in the Ayer Hangat sub-district, Kampung Belanga Pecah in Kuah, Bukit Kemboja and Sungai Melaka in the Padang Matsirat sub-district and Empangan Padang Saga in the Ulu Melaka sub-district.
"Rain and strong winds are still lashing the island, but as for now, no temporary evacuation centres (PPS) have been activated.
"We are carrying out clean-up works with the assistance of the District Office, the police, the Fire and Rescue Department and other agencies," he said in a statement today.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, the Fire and Rescue Department rescued 40 hikers trapped at the Telaga Tujuh waterfall, here.
State Fire and Rescue Department director Sayani Saidon said a team of rescuers were deployed to the scene after receiving a distress call at 10.16am.
She said the hikers in their 30s and 40s were trapped as they could not cross the river while climbing down due to a water-column incident triggered by heavy rain.
"The rescue team set up rope ties to cross the river to rescue the victims with the help of a police team," she said in a statement.