SUNGAI BULOH: Residents affected by the collapse of the Taman Sri Alam water retention bund in Saujana Utama here reported hearing a deafening sound before a deluge of water flooded homes near the reservoir on Sunday (Dec 29) evening.
Hafifi Saleh, 38, said he was outside conversing with a friend after the rain had stopped and noticed that the reservoir, located just 15m from his house, had been full since Saturday (Dec 28).
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"While chatting, I suddenly heard a loud sound and saw that the bund had collapsed, sending a strong flow of water into my house and my neighbours’ homes.
"I quickly grabbed my wife and children, got them into my four-wheel-drive vehicle and drove to safety,” he told Bernama at the scene.
Hafifi, who is self-employed, said that the incident happened so fast that he couldn't save any belongings as the water filled his home rapidly.
"The water entered my house up to 0.6m deep. After assessing the damage, I realised most of my furniture and household items were ruined,” he said.
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Another affected resident, Samsudin Adun, 49, noted that this was the second time such an incident had occurred.
"The first incident was in 2014, but the flood then wasn’t as severe as today,” he said.
Samsudin, who was not at home at the time, found out about the incident through the neighbourhood’s WhatsApp group.
"A neighbour informed us that the reservoir bund in front of my house had collapsed, causing a flash flood. My family and I hurried home and found water about 0.6m deep inside the house. Thankfully, the water receded within 30 minutes,” he said.
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Samsudin called on the authorities to repair the bund immediately, particularly since the area often experiences heavy rainfall during the Northeast Monsoon season.
Meanwhile, Kuala Selangor Municipal Council (MPKS) Zone 23 member Maisarah Ismail said temporary barriers would be built at the collapse site to prevent further flooding in case of more heavy rain.
She estimated that 10 houses were significantly affected and said the victims had been advised to evacuate, but they chose to stay and clean their homes since the water had receded.
"Cleanup efforts and clearing debris from the collapse will be carried out tonight, followed by the construction of a temporary barrier,” she said.
Earlier, Selangor Fire and Rescue Department assistant director (operations) Ahmad Mukhlis Mokhtar said that they received a call about the incident at 5.15pm.
He confirmed that the embankment collapse caused water to flood the housing area, but no injuries or casualties were reported. – Bernama
