BALING: There was nothing more devastating for Mohd Naim Asri Baharom, 46, when the house he inherited from his late parents in Kampung Teluk Rambong being swallowed by the surging river.
The bachelor, who is still coming to terms with the destruction left by the surging flood on Sunday evening, is left dumbfounded upon seeing the raging river is now consuming half of the forty-year-old house today.
"It is devastating. Yesterday, we can still stand here, but the river began 'consuming' what used to be the living hall of the house where I had grown up.
"This happened following another round of surging floods following several hours of heavy rainfall yesterday evening.
"It seems things will just get even worse day after day," he said when met at the house today.
Prior to the interview today, Naim was spotted salvaging a wooden chair that was washed down to an oil palm estate some 500 metres away from his house.
"I have lost some clothes and other personal belongings that I treasured, but my biggest regret is losing a house that holds so many memories of my late parents and siblings," he said.
Naim, who works at a factory in Prai, Penang, said he would be finding a house to rent before raising enough funds to rebuild his home at a new site.
"I would be lying if I said I am not devastated, but I have accepted what happened as a test of faith," he said.
Yesterday, it was reported that Naim's house wall collapsed after being struck by logs and debris washed down by strong currents from the river located metres away, inundating the rooms inside and leaving a thick layer of mud on the floor.
It was reported that the village was hit by the first debris surge and flood on Sept 30, forcing several families, including Naim, to be evacuated to a nearby temporary flood relief centre.
Checks by the NST recently found at least 10 landslide locations at Bukit Lada Putih following the debris surge and floods that devastated the village.
Kampung Teluk Rambong is located in the foothills of Bukit Lata Putih, and the surging water is believed to have originated from the hill.
The villagers claimed that logging used to be carried out on the hill some 15 years ago.
Recently, it was also reported that the Kedah Forestry Department had denied claims that there was logging in Bukit Lata Putih.
Its director Muhamad Abdullah said the land was privately-owned and not part of the Ulu Muda Forest Reserve.