Mad dash to safety as house inundated by floodwaters

Flood victim Juhari Ismail, 48, cleaning household items at his home in Jalan Teratai, Felda Trolak Selatan. — Bernama

A FAMILY in Felda Trolak Selatan near Tanjung Malim in Perak had to dash to safety when their house was hit by flash floods.

Arbainah Achel, 70, said the flood was the worst she had experienced, having lived in the area for almost 50 years.

“At 2.30pm, floodwaters started flowing into my house after heavy rain,” she said about the incident that took place last Wednesday.

“We were taken by surprise and had to rush to higher ground.

“We feared that we would be swept away by the flood but luckily, we are safe now.”

Arbainah said she had just finished her noon prayers when the flood started, and was sad to see all her household items destroyed.

“We had yet to finish cleaning up the house following an earlier flooding before Hari Raya.

“This latest disaster is worse, bringing thick mud which is difficult to clear,” she said.

She hoped the state government would take measures immediately to address the frequent floods in the area.

Another resident, Che Roha Baharuddin, 53, said cleaning up her house was very tiring.

The mother of three lived with her 78-year-old father and her youngest daughter who has cancer.

“My house was badly flooded as it is near the river.

“However, I am very thankful that we were able to go up to the upper floor immediately because the water rose quickly with very strong currents,” she said.

Heavy rain on the afternoon of May 25 flooded several areas in three districts, namely Muallim, Batang Padang and Hilir Perak.

Hundreds of flood victims had to be evacuated to temporary evacuation centres.

However, floodwaters in most areas began to recede the next morning. — Bernama