HULU LANGAT – The residents of Hulu Langat described the flash flood on Saturday as the worst natural disaster they have ever experienced.
A probe by The Vibes’ sister portal Getaran found a number of homes, infrastructure, and personal items, including vehicles, destroyed.
54-year-old victim Misnan Selamat told the Malay portal that all his personal effects have been destroyed and rendered useless – in fact, part of his house collapsed and was carried away by the floodwaters.
However, he and his seven family members have accepted their losses, but also complained that assistance was not rendered to them soon enough, leading to complications.
“During the heavy rain on Saturday, we were waiting for assistance until 4am because only one boat was used to help other flood victims. The most pitiful were parents with little children who were forced to climb onto their rooftops to save themselves and their kids.
“The water level was still high yesterday, but it has receded this morning. My family came back to look at our house, which has been destroyed. There’s nothing left. So, we have been placed in a temporary evacuation centre until things go back to normal,” Misnan told Getaran.
Meanwhile, Mustafa Jauhari, 58, said that the flood felt unreal, seeing how fast the waters rose.
The Islamic medicine centre owner said he has operated there for a decade and never seen anything like it.
“The floods this time were totally unexpected. I’ve been providing cupping and traditional massages for Hulu Langat and this is the first time the water levels rose this fast. All six of my beds and my cupping and massaging equipment can’t be used anymore.
“The motorcycle workshop next door went through the same thing too. It’s destroyed. The owner left a few motorcycles in my shop because my shop is on slightly higher ground. However, the water levels rose too fast,” shared Mustafa as he wept.
Perhaps one of the saddest losses in the area was the loss of two pet cats, who were thought to be in a safe location, but ended up drowning.
Convenience store worker Siti Nordiana Madihi said she helped keep two of her client’s pet cats, believing that her shop would not be inundated, but unfortunately found the beloved felines dead from drowning when she visited the premises this morning.
“Our shop is located on relatively higher ground. Every time during the flooding season the shops and houses around Bukit Nanding Batu 12 only had water going up to our ankles. This time around it rose to chest level.
“So, even though we placed the cats on elevated ground, we still lost them. I’ve informed the owner. They came over his morning and cried. We also lost our cash profits – the water took them. Many of our products can no longer be used,” she said.
Similarly, around 100 residents of Taman Sri Nanding had to take refuge on the rooftop of Surau Al Munir Taman Sri Nanding for more than 12 hours.
Facebook user Puteri Nadia Natasha claimed that the disabled, babies, and pregnant women were among the victims seeking shelter on the roof.
“Those on the Surau Al-Munir taman Sri Nanding rooftop have not received any assistance from last night till this morning. Everyone is cold!” she said.
Other areas badly hit by the flood are Kg Batu 25 Sg Lui, Kg Batu 16, Kg Batu 17, Kg Batu 18, and Kg Sg Serai. – Getaran, December 20, 2021
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