39 Kedah locations at risk of sudden water surges

ALOR STAR: Sungai Sedim in Kulim is among 39 locations in Kedah identified as being at risk of sudden water surges, following an incident there in July that claimed three lives.

State Fire and Rescue Department director Awang Hidzel Awang Bujang said the other 38 locations across the state were also at risk amid the current unpredictable weather.

He advised the public to postpone picnics and recreational activities because of the uncertain weather conditions.

"As part of preparations for the 2026/2027 Northeast Monsoon, the department has conducted water surge response exercises at Sungai Sedim.

"The public should also remain alert to warning sirens installed there and leave immediately if they notice signs of an impending water surge. These include muddy water, fast-flowing water carrying branches and dry leaves, the sound of rushing water from the mountains or hills, and dark clouds overhead," he said when met at the department's office.

In the July 17 incident, the three victims were Nur Atikah Abdullah, 28, her cousin Muhammad Aariz Daniel Md Radzi, three, and Muhammad Uzair Ahmadi Hussain, 12, who was from another family.

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They were believed to have been enjoying recreational activities and picnicking near the Tree Top Walk area, at the foothills of Gunung Bintang, when a sudden water surge hit the river.

Awang Hidzel said Baling had the highest number of high-risk locations, with 11 areas identified.

They include Lata Celak Iboi in Kupang, Teratak Simpul, Air Panas Ulu Legong, Kuala Kedua, Lubuk Badak, Sungai Pam, Lata Baling, Lubuk Pedati, Lata Nering, Lata Bayu and Lata Bukit Hijau.

Other areas at risk include Kubang Pasu (Surau Sungai Batu in Bukit Kayu Hitam and Bukit Wang), Guar Chempedak (Kem Rekreasi Puteri Mandi, Taman Rekreasi Sungai Badak and Sungai Bukit Kuari), Kulim (Sungai Sedim, Ulu Paip, Lata Bukit Hijau and Air Putih Junjung) and Padang Terap (Puncak Janing and Sungai Seraya).

Four locations in Langkawi — Lubuk Semilang, Durian Perangin, Telaga Tujuh and Air Terjun Temurun — have also been identified as high-risk areas.

Other locations include Rimba Rekreasi Bukit Perak in Pendang, Batu Hampar Air Putih in Bandar Baharu, and Batu Pahat Archaeological Museum, Damai Park Resort and Tupah Resort in Kuala Muda.

In Sik, five locations have been identified: Lata Mengkuang, Rimba Taqwa, Lata Charok Rambai, Lata Batu Hampar Hujung Bandar and Sungai Viral Jeneri. In Yan, the two locations are Titi Hayun and Batu Hampar.

He said department personnel were conducting regular monitoring at locations prone to water surges, as well as low-lying areas at risk of flash floods, to ensure public safety.

A water surge at Titi Hayun in Yan on Aug 19, 2021, claimed six lives, while a similar incident in Kampung Iboi, Baling, on July 4, 2022, killed three members of the same family.

On Sept 16, firefighters rescued 19 people who were trapped by a water surge at Lata Debu in Baling.

Awang Hidzel said the department had mobilised 2,032 personnel and officers in preparation for the 2026/2027 Northeast Monsoon.

He said 90 flood-prone locations had also been identified across the state.