Floodwaters destroy Pos Brooke suspension bridge, leaving villagers isolated

GUA MUSANG, Oct 21 — A sudden flash flood, accompanied by surging waters and mudflow, led to the collapse of the Kampung Brooke Lama suspension bridge over Sungai Belatop in Pos Brooke yesterday afternoon. The disaster severed the primary access route for over 100 Temiar Orang Asli residents, disrupting their daily routines, including taking their children to school and seeking medical care.

Headman Rian Bujang of Kampung Brooke Lama explained that rain started around 4 pm, followed by the flash flood at around 5.30 pm, causing strong currents to crash into the bridge and its concrete pillars breaking. He described the scene as terrifying, as the powerful, muddy currents overflowed onto the road, reaching near residents' houses.

The bridge, constructed in 2008, was vital for reaching Sekolah Kebangsaan Pos Brooke and the Pos Brooke Health Clinic. Now, residents must take an extended alternative path via Kampung Liak and Kuala Rengil. The Kelantan and Terengganu Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA) director, Mohd Faedzyal Mohamed, informed that around 44 families were impacted, and the department had alerted the Disaster Operations Control Centre for emergency aid.

Some affected residents have taken refuge at the open hall of the JAKOA Pos Brooke office. The bridge had previously raised safety concerns in 2023, with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and the South Kelantan Development Authority (Kesedar) directed to address repairs or enhancements.