YAN: Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob visited the Kuala Muda and Yan districts in Kedah to check on disaster relief following flash floods due to the water surge phenomenon in the Gunung Jerai area last Wednesday (Aug 18).

       His flight from the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) airbase in Subang, Selangor touched down at the Sultan Abdul Halim Airport in Alor Setar at about 10.45am on Monday (Aug 23)

       He then proceeded to Merbok in Kuala Muda to visit flood-hit areas, namely the Tupah Bridge, Taman Lembah Merbok and the Tupah water treatment plant.

       Accompanying him was Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.

       He was briefed on the current situation and the extent of the damage to the affected areas.

       This is Ismail Sabri's first official visit since being sworn in as the ninth Prime Minister last Saturday.

       Several villages and residential areas around Gunung Jerai here were hit by flash floods and landslides.

       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 were inundated following the heavy downpour.

       About 800 houses in Yan and another 200 in Kuala Muda were affected by the disaster.

       The floods have claimed five victims so far while another is still missing with search and rescue operations ongoing.