BALING: Word of even a small landslide sends shivers down Kampung Iboi villager Abdul Rahman Said's spine.
His mind races back to memories from two years ago when a massive flood brought timber logs and debris from Gunung Inas crashing down into the village, forever changing the lives of its 350 residents.
Three villagers lost their lives. Rahman was related to all of them.
They were his wife, Salmah Mat Akib, 53, their son, Khairul Ikhwan Nor Azman, 14, and their daughter-in-law, Nurul Anis Abu Hassan, 23, who was four months pregnant.
Rahman, 74, was spared as he was at work when the disaster struck.
Though he has come to terms with his loss, life has been a living nightmare.
"I have gone for counselling at Baling Hospital. They advised me to spend more time with friends and avoid being alone.
"Alhamdulillah, with the support of the local community and prayers, I have been able to feel better, but the emotional damage is still there and it is impossible to forget about it."
Distressing memories of the tragedy and his loss continue to haunt Rahman, even if he has not returned to the site where his entire house was swept away.
"I have been advised against going to sleep if I'm not sleepy (because of the tragic memories).
"Now, I live with my other relatives, sometimes switching between houses.
"They are all supportive and never leave me alone," he said.
Despite his problems, Rahman's greater concern is for the villagers of Kampung Iboi who are still struggling to rebuild their lives and recover emotionally.
Nor Mohamad Che Hussain, the village's former Development and Security Committee secretary, said infrastructure damaged by the flood had yet to be fully repaired, making it difficult for residents to get back on their feet.
He lamented that the Bailey Bridge, built to connect Kampung Iboi and Kampung Masjid Iboi after the flood, had not been upgraded to a permanent structure.
"Many of the village's infrastructure remains neglected," he told the New Straits Times.
"For example, the padi fields and the irrigation system that supplied water to the fields were destroyed, wiping out about 120 relong (about 34.5ha) of padi fields."
Another bridge and road are being constructed at Sungai Lata Celak to connect villagers to rubber estates and fruit orchards, but remain unfinished.
Nor Mohamad hoped that the federal and state governments would help the villagers rebuild their lives.
"I hope the government will expedite many of the infrastructural repair work here.
"The fear within the community still exists, especially when we face the rainy season," he said.