GUA MUSANG: Continuous rain since Friday (Dec 22) has caused the main route connecting the Mendriq and Bateq Orang Asli communities in Pos Lebir to Sungai Sam, Kuala Krai, to be submerged.
This has prompted residents to use boats to cross the areas flooded by the overflow from Sungai Jerek, Sungai Linggi and two branches of Sungai Kelkok.
Kampung Pasir Linggi headman Harun Ismail said up to 110 families from Kampung Pasir Linggi and Kampung Machang were stranded and took turns using three boats in each area.
“About 500 residents from the Mendriq and Bateq tribes in Pos Lebir cannot leave the settlement because there is no alternative way out. We are increasingly worried because it is still raining and the water level is rising.
“We have started to build temporary tents and shelters on higher grounds although there is a temporary relief centre at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Pasir Linggi,” he told reporters today.
Orang Asli Development and Safety Committee (JPKKOA) chairman Mohd Alang Sakarwi, of Kampung Machang, said the residents were grateful that the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) had provided them with food earlier.
“Today is the fourth day the residents have been stranded. During this period, we have been relying on the food items sent to us by NADMA in preparation for the flood about a month ago,“ he said.
Meanwhile, Kelantan and Terengganu Orang Asli Development Department (JAKOA) director Zarina Razlan, who inspected the condition of the road after the Sungai Jerek flooding, handed over 110 food baskets to the Orang Asli community. - Bernama