JOHOR BARU – Residents of Kg Laut Batu 10 in Skudai here have called for river-deepening works to be carried out immediately in Sg Skudai, saying they have had enough dealing with flash floods.
A resident, Zulkifli Mat Ahwan, 43, said the area is hit by flash floods at least twice a year because the river overflows easily when it rains heavily.
In the latest flash flood yesterday, his house was submerged about 2m, destroying electrical appliances and a sofa set.
Zulkifli, who was born in the village, said he managed to move his car to higher ground before the water level rose.
“If the river is deepened, the floods may not be so bad. The last time river-deepening works were undertaken was in the 90s,” the father of two said when met at his house today.
Ahmad Wahid, 75, who has been living there since the 70s, said he seems to have been numbed by the frequent flooding in his village.
“It has happened every year, from 2000 until now. I can only hope that the government does something to help for the sake of the next generation,” he added.
Another villager, Mohamad Ibrahim Sujimun, 27, said the floor of his storeroom collapsed in yesterday’s flood and water entered the family’s four vehicles.
“Apart from the two cars and two motorcycles, personal documents and belongings were also destroyed in the flood,” he added.
A two-hour downpour from about 3pm caused several areas in this district to be flooded. The floodwaters fully receded at 10pm.
The number of evacuees dropped to 76 as at noon from 86 at 8am today. – Bernama, August 21, 2022
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