Residents Of Yan Still Traumatised By Water Surge Tragedy In 2021

YAN, Aug 18  (Bernama) -- Although three years has passed, the water surge tragedy that struck Taman Eko Pelancungan Titi Hayun here continues to haunt local residents, especially those affected by the disaster.

Sabariah Saad, 55, a teacher from Kampung Setoi here, when recalling that tragic moment, described it as a nightmare that remains etched in her memory.

"Although early warning sirens for geological disasters had been installed and a sabo dam built at Titi Hayun, it was not enough to ease the trauma. During the rainy season, it's almost impossible to sleep well.

"I still remember the incident around 3.30 pm; the river water in front of my house suddenly turned murky, and then I heard a roaring sound of water surging, bringing about mud, logs, and rocks right in front of the house, causing the nearby bridge to collapse in an instant while the area started flooding.

"I saw neighbours on the steps of their houses waiting for help, and at the same time, there were bodies nearby that could not be retrieved because the road was cut off. That is something I cannot forget even to this day," she said when met at the anniversary of the tragedy at Sekolah Kebangsaan Haji Nyak Gam here.

Muhd Jamhuri Mohd Raziff, 40, from Kampung Titi Bakong here, said that every time this date comes around, it reminds him of that heart-wrenching event which claimed seven lives and affected over 2,000 homes.

"The incident is always etched in our hearts. For instance, right now, when we hear the sound of heavy water flowing down from the hills, it triggers our trauma because flash floods are unpredictable. I start to worry and often contact friends if there's a sudden rise in river water level," he said.

However, he noted that residents feel somewhat relieved after emergency disaster sirens were installed and a Japanese technology sabo dam was built at Titi Hayun to mitigate the impact of water surge phenomenon.

"These two systems have somewhat lifted our anxiety. So far, no incidents have occurred, the systems are regularly tested and residents are now alert to the warning system," he said.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Izham Ismail, senior assistant head of the Pre-School at SK Haji Nyak Gam, said that the trauma still haunts teachers and students when the school was hit by thick mud floods.

Ahmad Izham said that due to the school's proximity to a tributary from the hills, it has been affected by thick mudflows, which have impacted nine classrooms, including the surau, computer lab and hall, with depths ranging from 0.3 to 0.5 metres.

“We plan to build a memorial to commemorate the event, which will become part of the school’s history. It will feature images of the incident to demonstrate that it really happened and had a profound impact on the community at that time,” he said.

In the flash flood disaster on Aug 18, 2021 in the foothills of Gunung Jerai, seven lost their lives after being swept away by strong currents.

The incident also caused several nearby villages, including areas in Merbok and Kuala Muda, to be inundated with mud floods.

-- BERNAMA