KEMABONG: A hill logged until bald by Sabah Forest Industries (SFI) lining the Alutok river is said to be responsible for the recent flash floods which hit several kampungs, here.A resident, Matri Marol, 42, said although the logging activities had stopped, the barren hills resulted in fast flowing water into the low-lying areas and, at the same time, caused the river to swell.
In this respect, the calamity had greatly affected more than 600 people, mostly Muruts, who had been staying there for generations.
Kampung Alutok, some 80km from the Tenom township did not have a proper road link, he said.
He recalled that Kemabong Assemblyman Datuk Rubin Balang had assured that the problem would soon be rectified through the intervention of the District Office.
Sungai Alutok had become shallow through continuous siltation of the river bed, coupled with increasing amount of debris such wood drifts, clogging the river.
Rubin agreed with the suggestion by the Kemabong District Office to deepen the river.
Sungai Alutok is linked to the Padas river through Kuala Tomani. SFI officials were not available for comment.
