Cameron Highlands mud flood kills at least 3 people
At least three people were killed during a massive mud flood that was caused by heavy downpour at Cameron Highlands yesterday.
"It has been raining heavily since 5.30pm and the rain has not stopped," said Cameron Highlands Fire and Rescue Department deputy director Morni Mamat when contacted by The Star.
Cameron Highlands OCPD Deputy Supt Wan Mohd Zahari Wan Busu said that one of the victims was a teenaged boy who got swept away at Kuala Terla while the other two victims were found buried by the landslide at Ringlet and Bertam Valley.
"The boy was found about 5km from where he was swept away at Batu 49, Kuala Terla.
"He was found by a riverbank by search and rescue personnel at about 8.45am,” he told journalists at the operations centre in Bertam Valley on Thursday.
"His body has been sent to the hospital for post mortem," he added.
They believe the boy was trying to escape by climbing onto a tractor but failed.
DSP Mohd Wan Zahari said 48-year-old Indonesian, Anipan, was found buried at his rented house at Bertam Valley about 9.20am.
"He failed to escape from the house and was buried some one metre under a pile of soil," he said.
Photos: Twitter, The Star
"Another victim, 66-year-old Nepalese, Md Yousuf Miya was also buried at his home at Ulu Merah in Ringlet" he added.
As of 10pm last night, at least 150 people from 37 families had been evacuated from their homes and are taking shelter at community centres.
Search and rescue efforts are ongoing
Source: The Star
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now