APM warns of possible recurrence of Lata Bayu water surge

ALOR SETAR - The public must ensure that the weather is appropriate before engaging in water recreational activities to avoid any uncalled-for incidents like the case of two trapped women in a water surge at Lata Bayu, Baling, on Thursday.

Kedah Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) Disaster Operations Division Chief Captain (PA) Saifuddin Abdullah said the water surge incident in the area had a high risk of reoccurring, and the public must exercise caution when going to such recreational areas or to camp.

He said Lata Bayu was among the 11 ‘hot’ areas for water surges to occur in the Baling district, as well as continuing to be at high risk due to the Southwest Monsoon and the Northeast Monsoon.

"APM does not have the power to stop public recreational activities, but it advises the public to monitor the weather and prepare to leave the areas if there are heavy rains or unsafe conditions.

"Lata Bayu was on the list of 39 hot areas known as high-risk areas for a water surge to occur similar to what happened in Kedah recently," he said in a press conference in the Kota Setar APM Office on Sunday.

Sinar reported that two individuals in Lata Bayu, Asam Jawa, were successfully saved after they were trapped in a water surge incident that occurred after heavy rains on Thursday.

The incident required nine APM personnel from Baling to rush towards the scene, and the victims were saved at 5.55pm.

One 22-year-old victim suffered injuries on her head before being brought to the Baling Hospital for treatment, while another was reported to be in a conscious and stable condition.

Saifuddin said 10 more areas were at risk of a water surge in Baling: Kuala Kedua, Lata Bukit Hijau, Lata Celak Simpoi, Teratak Simpul, Ulu Legong Hotspring, Lubuk Badak, Sungai Pam, Lata Baling, Lubuk Pedati, and Lata Nering.

He said 1,100 APM personnel throughout the state were prepared to be mobilised to face such disasters as flash floods and water surges.

"The areas at risk of floods in Kedah involved 357 areas, and the focus of the risk area is Lembangan Sungai Muda.

"The areas at risk involved the Kulim, Baling, Kuala Muda, Bandar Baharu, Kota Setar, and Kubang Pasu districts," he said.