YAN: The worst water column disaster ever recorded in Gunung Jerai's modern history three years ago, not only left profound marks on the majestic mountain, but also lasting emotional scars on the survivors.
While the locals finally heaved a deep sigh of relief following the completion of two sabo dams in Titi Hayun here and in Merbok, neighbouring Kuala Muda district, they are still unable to shirk off memories of the disaster.
"We are grateful with the completion of the sabo dam project. It helps to ease our anxiety every time it rains at the peak of the Gunung Jerai.
"In a sense, we are proud that the first sabo dam in the country were built in Yan and Kuala Muda districts.
"On a different note, the sabo dams also act as "memorials" of the tragedy that changed our lives forever," said local resident Muhamad Jamhuri Muhamad Raziff.
The sabo dams, the first ever constructed in Malaysia, were built at a cost of RM22.8 million, following the water column disaster in Gunung Jerai on August 18, 2021.
Six people were killed and over 2,000 houses and business premises were damaged in the worst water column tragedy ever recorded in Gunung Jerai.
While most of the residents are more at ease now, he acknowledged at times, they do feel a shiver upon seeing dark clouds shrouding the mountain peak.
"Since the sabo dam was completed, we have not seen the river overflowing during heavy rainfall. Things are much calmer now.
"Villagers living along the riverbank are adapting to the disaster early warning system and are more alert of their surroundings now," said Jamhuri, who is also the SK Nyak Gam's Parents-Teacher Association (PTA) chairman.
However, some residents, including Sabariah Saad, 55, from Kampung Setol here, are still deeply traumatised by the experience.
"I still feel a shiver whenever I hear the thunderstorms. That's how scared I am. Terrifying memories of raging river water and uprooted logs smashing the old bridge still play vividly in my mind," she said, while pointing at a concrete bridge built by the government to replace the doomed wooden bridge.
"I keep the videos and pictures of the incident on my mobile phone, but I never play them. I am too scared.
"If you want them, just take my mobile phone and send it to your mobile phone. I can't do it by myself," she said to this reporter.
Rekindling the moments, Sabariah said the body of one of the six victims who perished in the disaster washed down from the upper stream to nearby her house.
"I was too scared to have a look and just locked myself in the house as others rushed to check on the body," she said.
Sabariah said the disaster also left some significant damage to her homestay.
"Alhamdulillah, things are better now. The river stream is much calmer since the sabo dam project is completed.
"Even during heavy rainfall in upstream Gunung Jerai, the river would not reach its dangerous level. That's a huge relief for us," she said.