Floodwaters destroy Pos Brooke suspension bridge, leaving villagers isolated

GUA MUSANG, Oct 21 — A flash flood, accompanied by surging waters and a mudflow, caused the Kampung Brooke Lama suspension bridge across Sungai Belatop in Pos Brooke here to collapse yesterday afternoon.

The collapse cut off the main access route for more than 100 Temiar Orang Asli residents, disrupting daily activities, including getting their children to school and accessing healthcare.

Kampung Brooke Lama headman Rian Bujang said rain began at about 4 pm before the flash flood struck at around 5.30pm, sending strong currents crashing into the bridge, causing it to collapse and its concrete pillars to break.

“The situation was frightening as the strong, muddy currents overflowed onto the road and reached areas near residents’ houses,” he told Bernama today.

He said the bridge, built in 2008, served as an access route to Sekolah Kebangsaan Pos Brooke and Pos Brooke Health Clinic. Residents now have to use a longer alternative route via Kampung Liak and Kuala Rengil.

Meanwhile, Kelantan and Terengganu Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA) director Mohd Faedzyal Mohamed said about 44 families were affected and that the department had informed the Disaster Operations Control Centre to seek emergency assistance.

Some residents have taken shelter at the open hall of the JAKOA Pos Brooke office, while the bridge had previously drawn the attention of Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in 2023 over safety concerns, with the South Kelantan Development Authority (Kesedar) and JAKOA instructed to undertake repairs or improvements. — Bernama