LANGKAWI: Floodwaters inundated the Padang Matsirat public market today, affecting over 150 traders after 12 hours of continuous heavy rain.
Fish trader Azizi Ahmad, 42, said the downpour caused the nearby river to overflow, resulting in water levels rising between 0.5 to 1.2m.
"Water began rising in the market area at 2.30am, forcing several vendors to pack up and move their goods to safer locations. The highest water level reached waist-deep at 5.30am. The flood happened so quickly that several containers holding fish, prawns, and squid were swept away and submerged in the nearby river," he said.
He said that he and several fellow traders quickly set up temporary stalls along the Padang Matsirat-Kuala Teriang trunk road by 7am to continue their business.
"We had to find a way to sell because perishable goods like fish, prawns, and squid spoil easily. If we can't sell them today, we'll face losses," said Azizi, who has been trading at the market for the past 10 years.
Fish stall assistant Ahmad Manaf, 50, expressed relief and gratitude after managing to save a floating container of fish that was drifting toward the river.
However, a car, believed to belong to a trader, was damaged by the floodwaters as it could not be moved in time.
"The water level rose too quickly, and the current was strong," he said.
Meanwhile, Langkawi Civil Defence Force officer Captain (PA) Khairul Afzan Md Yasin said the flash flood, which began at 3am, also impacted eight villages across three sub-districts.
"Among them are Kampung Limbung Putra, Atas, and Batu Ara from the Padang Matsirat sub-district, followed by Kampung Atas, Bukit Kemboja, Nyiur Chabang, and Lubuk Setul in the Bohor sub-district, and Kampung Kerman in the Kiah sub-district. Initial assessments found that 10 houses in Kampung Limbung Putra were affected by rising water, and the total number of victims is still being determined," he said.
He added that no casualties were reported, and so far, no temporary evacuation centres (PPS) had been opened.
Monitoring is ongoing to ensure residents' safety.