KUALA LUMPUR – Land use activities conducted upstream are likely among the contributing factors to major floods that struck Bukit Tinggi in Bentong, Pahang, last night, the Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Ministry said.
They most likely caused a higher rate of soil erosion, resulting in mudflows in the popular tourist area following several hours of continuous rain last night, it said in a statement today.
The ministry also said it will take one month to clean the affected site of mud and debris as well and perform maintenance works due to large rocks and a huge amount of sediment that need to be removed.
“Land use activities such as land clearance for agricultural purposes in the upstream areas of the water flow are most likely one of the factors contributing to the high rate of soil erosion, as well as the use of agricultural irrigation that is not suitable for the terrain and slopes,” the ministry said.
Additionally, rainfall lasting three hours from 8pm last night caused mudflows in the area.
Rainfall in those three hours measured between 23.5mm and 53mm, and the floods that inundated homes, shop premises and nearby roads were about 0.3m to 0.6m in depth, the ministry added.
It also said that the Mineral and Geoscience Department is identifying hazard areas for demarcation at the incident site, besides conducting slope mitigation and identifying other risk elements and potential threats for possible landslides.
Kg Bukit Tinggi is popular as a pit stop for travellers to have meals or buy local fruits and vegetables.
This morning, environment minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad visited the area for inspection.
He said recreational sites by waterfalls and rivers in the Bentong area have been closed to the public due to the rainy season, following the flood last night.
Last night, Young Syefura posted on X that floods had struck the Bukit Tinggi police station and surrounding areas at about 10pm, following heavy rain and thunderstorms that lasted for several hours.
She also shared photos and videos showing torrential mud water hitting residential areas, and reported that the road leading to Janda Baik was cut off due to landslides and fallen trees.
The last major flood to strike the area was on February 12, which had prompted Young Syefura then to call for an immediate investigation as to the cause, including to identify if there was any exploration or land clearing at the top of the hill, which could have precipitated the disaster. – November 26, 2023