PETALING JAYA: The hashtag #PrayforYan is trending on Malaysian Twitter as severe flash floods struck the district of Yan in Kedah on Wednesday (Aug 18).

       Video clips of the downpour and floods there have gone viral since Wednesday night, leading many to tweet their sympathies and support for the residents there.

       Pictures have also been circulating of the muddied roads, cars, fallen trees and people drenched in rainwater.

       Twitter users noted that the floods are especially bad, as the heavy rains caused water to gush down a stream on Gunung Jerai, located in the district.

       Some have expressed their worries over people and children who may have been bathing in the river, noting that many had allegedly previously died in the Titi Hayun Recreational Park.

       There were also some Internet users who speculated that the devastating floods and extreme weather were due to climate change.

       According to Bernama, three victims have been found dead so far in several locations around the Gunung Jerai area.

       As at 1am Thursday (Aug 19), three more victims are believed to be missing in an area in Titi Hayun.

       The rains started at about 4.30pm Wednesday, inundating areas like Perigi, Teroi Bukit, Singkir, Kampung Permatang Keramat, Kampung Lubuk Boi, Pekan Yan Besar, Titi Teras, Kampung Acheh, and Kampung Setoi in the district.