KOTA TINGGI: Villagers of Kampung Felda Air Tawar 1 were caught by surprise when rapid floodwaters inundated their homes, forcing some to cling to poles in a desperate bid to avoid being swept away early in the morning.
Anizah Ali, 57, said that many did not anticipate the impending flood.
The river’s water level had risen dramatically around 3am yesterday, overrunning homes, particularly those situated close to the river.
She counts herself fortunate to have managed to escape the chest-high waters and reach higher ground.
“We didn’t expect it would flood, as last Wednesday the floods hit Kota Tinggi and not our village, but early this morning the water rose so quickly, like a surge.
“Everything at home, including my Raya cookies, the motorcycle and the car, couldn’t be saved,” she told Bernama when met here yesterday.
Her sister Halimah, 53, who lives next door, said she managed to save herself by clinging on to a house pillar for over 20 minutes before the floodwaters decreased slightly.
“Thankfully, my son tethered a line for us to walk because the currents were so strong, but I’m grateful all of us are safe,” she said.
Nureita Amat Pale, 36, meanwhile, said that she and her husband were unable to save their cars and all their belongings at home from the flash floods and that it would take quite some time to clean their mud-filled house.
Village chief Abdul Rashid A. Samad said that 111 houses and about 500 households were affected by the floods, which also caused a bridge at the village to collapse.
He expressed hope that the state government would be able to present some aid to affected villagers as Hari Raya was just around the corner.
