Thirty-four houses in four villages in Mukim Air Putih near Pendang were hit by mud floods as deep as 0.2 metres early this morning, believed to be due to work at quarries in Bukit Jambul and Bukit Tok Ya, which are located about 50 metres from the areas concerned.

The four villages involved were Kampung Kilang Kechil (five houses), Kampung Lanjut Binjal (12), Lorong Haji Daud, Air Putih (two) and Kampung Air Putih (15).

A victim, Talib Arifin, 70, who lives in Kampung Kilang Kechil, said heavy rain from about 12.30am till 1.30am caused a sudden rush of mudflow into his and neighbours’ houses.

“During the incident, I and my wife, Azizah Md Rejab, 64, were asleep and only realised what was happening when mud started to seep into our room. The water level also rose very fast and we had no time to save our belongings,” he said.

Talib said their house, which was built 50 years ago, became filled with mud all over .

A Bernama check this morning found the victims busy cleaning their homes.

Some 20 personnel from the Pendang Civil Defence Department (JPAM), helped in the effort.

Meanwhile, eight houses in Kampung Belakang Sekolah Bukit Jenun and five houses in Kampung Bukit Jenun near Pendang were hit by flash floods at about 2am and were submerged under 0.2 metres of water.

Pendang JPAM operations chief Mohd Izzuddin Inus Meah said 20 of its members were instructed to assist the residents in cleaning their homes.

- Bernama