Abd Rahman Said feels anxious and his heart races whenever there is heavy rain. His immediate reaction is to pray. Last year, he lost his wife Salmah Mat Akib, stepson Mohd Khairul Ikhwan Nor Azman, and daughter-in-law Nurul Anis Abu Hassan in the devastating floods and water surge incident in Kampung Iboi, Baling. Nurul Anis was pregnant at the time. The incident resulted in the loss of four lives, affected 1,000 residents, and caused an estimated RM28 million in damages. Rahman prays that no one else goes through the same tragedy he experienced.
Whenever it rains, Rahman’s heart pounds and he fears the worst. He deeply misses his wife, who was a fantastic homemaker. Returning to Kampung Iboi brings him immense pain. He now resides in a house provided by the state government in Desa Kampung Keda Sadek, located about 10km away, but the memory of the tragedy remains fresh in his mind. The flood, considered the worst-ever in the district, destroyed 85 houses, with nine completely washed away. The bodies of Nurul Anis and Salmah were discovered embracing each other under a pile of logs approximately 100m from their house, while Khairul Ikhwan Nor Azman’s remains were found nearby the following day.
Azhar Md Isa, another resident of Kampung Iboi, also experiences fear and anxiety when he sees dark clouds in the sky. He worries about the possibility of losing his house and is prepared to relocate to higher ground whenever flooding occurs. After last year’s tragedy, Azhar and his family have packed all important documents into a bag, enabling them to move quickly if water levels rise. He hopes the government will expedite flood mitigation efforts in Sungai Kupang to prevent water from the hill flowing into the villages.
Located a few hundred meters from Kampung Iboi, Ahmad Shukri Mat Piah from Kampung Bukit Iboi shares the same concerns. He fears the approaching monsoon season and anticipates more rain, which could have detrimental effects. Ahmad urges the government to prioritize the construction of sabo dams in Gunung Inas to regulate the water flow of Sungai Kupang during peak periods. Sabo dams function by storing sediment and discharge, preventing them from rushing downstream.
In response to the situation, Muhammad Suhaimi Mohd Zain, the chief of Kedah Civil Defence Force (APM) disaster management secretariat, advises residents of Kampung Iboi and other vulnerable areas in Kedah to remain vigilant during the monsoon season. He warns them to be alert for any signs of flooding or water surges and encourages them to relocate to safer places if instructed by authorities.
