Malaysia

Dengkil flood victims feel ‘like being trapped on an island’

Rescuers transport cut-off locals as water submerge roads, houses, cars in district

Updated 3 years ago · Published on 17 Nov 2022 10:59PM

Dengkil flood victims feel ‘like being trapped on an island’ — Locals of Kg Cemperai Dengkil move to higher grounds to save themselves from the floods in Dengkil today. As of 5pm, around 120 families in the district have been affected by the natural disaster. – SAIRIEN NAFIS/The Vibes pic, November 17, 2022

DENGKIL – Flood victims in Kg Sri Tanjung were stuck in their village today after roads linked to it were flooded after a non-stop downpour. One of the villagers described the situation as similar to “being trapped on an island”.

Asiah Ismail, 50, who was rescued in a boat by firemen said the continuous heavy rain since yesterday had caused the water to rise sharply in the village.

“I woke up at 4am because the neighbours informed me that the water had started to rise. My husband and I then packed up our important things to put them in a safer place.

A rescued lamb stands on elevated ground after villagers managed to rescue it from floods. Two houses behind it are submerged after non-stop rain hit the district causing water level to rise. – SAIRIEN NAFIS/The Vibes pic, November 17, 2022

“When we wanted to leave, all the routes had been flooded (by then) and we waited for the firemen to get us evacuated,” she said when met by reporters in Kg Sri Tanjung here today.

Checks by Bernama at the village found several houses and cars submerged in water, and residents were also seen using boats and walking to collect necessities from their respective homes.

Meanwhile, Dengkil Fire and Rescue Station chief Saifuddin Mohamad Husin said several locations in Dengkil had been flooded following continuous rain and a river bund bursting.

SJKT Dengkil is flooded after continuous heavy rain since yesterday. The school is supposed to be a designated polling centre on Saturday for the 15th general election. – SAIRIEN NAFIS/The Vibes pic, November 17, 2022

Among the locations affected were Kg Sri Tanjung, Kg Cemperai, Kg Jenderam Hilir and Pekan Dengkil.

“We are continuously monitoring the situation and Alhamdulillah, the weather conditions are improving and hopefully the water will recede quickly.

“The affected bund in Kg Seri Tanjung has also been repaired by the Irrigation and Drainage Department,” he said.

Saifuddin said as of 5pm, a total of 120 families in Dengkil had been evacuated and placed in several flood relief centres including the Dengkil Community Hall.

A Dengkil local wades through muddy flood waters with minimal belongings, finding his way to safety from the submerged village. – SAIRIEN NAFIS/The Vibes pic, November 17, 2022

“We have made early preparations to face the floods this time and have been assisted by the police, the Civil Defence Force and others,” he said.

Barisan Nasional candidate for the Sepang parliamentary seat Anuar Basiran also took to the field to meet flood victims placed at the Dengkil Community Hall.

When met by reporters, Anuar said BN would help evacuate flood victims who were trapped. – Bernama, November 17, 2022