Flood victims urge authorities to take immediate action
SUNGAI PETANI: Residents at several villages in Kota Kuala Muda near here want the relevant authorities to take immediate action to improve the drainage and irrigation system to prevent flash floods from recurring.
A Kampung Telok Nipah resident, Md Nazri Yahya, 49, said the village was hit by flash floods twice this month and it not only caused damage to the residents' homes, but also affecting their daily lives.
"This month alone, my house was hit by flash floods twice ... and this is the worst so far.
"As such, I hope that the authorities will take immediate action, especially to upgrade the drainage system here to address the problem," he told Bernama at the flood relief centre at SK Bukit Kechil here today.
Meanwhile, Rohana Hashim of Kampung Keda Bukit Tukang Jusoh said the heavy rain since Wednesday caused her house to be inundated in flood water.
"The water was knee-deep and we have to move the electrical appliances such as washing machine and refrigerator to higher ground outside the house.
"My husband, our two children and I have been at the flood relief centre since yesterday. It is our hope that the problem can be addressed once and for all," said the 55-year-old woman.
For Asiah Ismail, 40, also from Kampung Keda Bukit Tukang Jusoh, it was the first experience for her and her family to be evacuated due to flash floods since staying in the village over the past 12 years.
"About 45 out of 75 houses in the villages were inundated in flood water and we were evacuated to the relief centre yesterday afternoon.
"Today, the water seemed to have receded and many of the victims have returned
home to clean up their houses," she said, adding that the authorities should take immediate action to prevent the recurrence of flash floods.
A check by Bernama found that the flood water at Kampung Telok Amboi, Kampung Keda Bukit Tukang Jusoh, Kampung Pulau Sayak and Kampung Pantai Merdeka has started to recede and many villagers have returned to their respective homes. — Bernama