1 week Ago By OMAR AHMAD
KULAI: Over 50 households in Kampung Melayu, Bukit Batu, have been contending with monthly flash floods since early this year, with residents blaming inadequate drainage and calling for urgent intervention.Technician Muhammad Amirul Aiman Hassni, 26, said the flooding has escalated into a near-monthly ordeal, shifting from an occasional nuisance to a chronic crisis."In the past, floods hit maybe once every year or two.
Now, even two to three hours of rain is enough to swamp homes. Water rises to chest level, and rescue boats have had to come in," he said.Amirul explained that the drains frequently overflow, sending muddy, sewage-contaminated water directly into residents' homes.
Many villagers have been forced to discard furniture and belongings, particularly during Ramadan, when floods struck twice."Some of us had already bought new furniture for Hari Raya. We ended up celebrating in an empty house," he said.
Amirul believes the problem worsened following a project at Sungai Ulu Pontian, located behind the village.Despite complaints lodged with local authorities via the penghulu (village chief) and the Village Development and Security Committee, no effective measures have been taken."Officials came, took photos, made assessments, but nothing changed.
We got some financial aid after the floods, but what we really need is a permanent fix to the drainage system," he said.Another resident, Nur Azimah Mohd Mahiyidin, 36, described the flooding as the worst she has experienced in her lifetime."I have lived here since I was 11.
This year alone, it flooded four times. In January, water reached our waists. We were moved to a temporary relief centre, only to return to another flood two days later," she said.
Her mother, 75, had a stroke and required assistance to evacuate during each flood."It's physically and emotionally draining. My mother's condition makes it very difficult every time we have to relocate," she added.
Housewife Nur Farahani Mamat, 30, who has three children aged three to nine, said the family has ceased replacing damaged items."We have given up. The mattress is all we have.
We are using old sofas because we know it will flood again unless the authorities find a permanent solution," she said.© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd.
