KOTA TINGGI – Five members of a family had to sleep in a car after failing to secure a place at an evacuation centre near here on Sunday.
Zaliza Ali, in her 40s, said floodwaters entered her house, filling it up with knee-high water, in Taman Kota Jaya here on Sunday.
Along with her daughter, two sons and a niece, Zaliza drove her Perodua Alza to a flood evacuation centre in Taman Daiman, about 15km from her house, but was told that the place was full.
She said as they were already tired, they returned to Taman Kota Jaya and parked at a nearby petrol station, where they spent the night.
“I am made to understand that each evacuation centre can accommodate only a few families due to the Covid-19 SOPs (standard operating procedures). After being told that the evacuation centre in Taman Daiman was full, I returned to Taman Kota Jaya.
“It was uncomfortable for us to sleep in the car, but praise be to God, my family is safe.
“We were able to evacuate to a relief centre in Taman Kota Jaya yesterday,” she told reporters at the centre.
Zaliza said it was a first experience for her and her children sleeping in the car, adding that it happened at a time when her husband was away for work.
“The experience is good, as it teaches my children to be more independent.” – Bernama, January 5, 2021
