KUALA LUMPUR – As floodwaters that inundated parts of Malaysia subside, fear still lingers in many victims, having suffered and survived through the country’s worst national disaster this year.
One such victim is Saimeena Looshni, a 24-year-old communications student who recalled being stuck at home with four family members and two dogs on the night of December 18 when floodwaters started rising in Taman Sri Muda.
Saimeena and her family were only saved the next day at 6.50pm by volunteers operating their own boat.
They sought temporary shelter at a relative’s house in Puchong, but despite being physically away from the floods, they were mentally traumatised.
“Honestly, until today, we have lost our appetite to eat.
“Our family only started eating rice again last Thursday on December 23,” Saimeena told The Vibes.
Her family, she said, only returned back to their house on December 21 when the floodwaters receded to knee level, but the condition of their home only made them feel more depressed.
She explained that their home was a gift from their late grandfather, and it was one of the few things that reminded her family of him.
“That is the house where my mother grew up.
“Right now, my mom still feels down because that house was from her father,” Saimeena said.
She added that along with her siblings, she has been trying to view her situation positively.
However, they cannot bear the thought of continuing to live in their home in Taman Sri Muda.
“We are moving out completely, we can’t stay there anymore, we don’t want that fear,” she said.
But that is not the only fear that Saimeena and her parents currently endure.
Despite staying temporarily in a house which has no risk of floods, any sign of rain sends Saimeena into a state of panic.
Now every time it rains, I have nightmares or start fearing that the water will start rising,” she added.
Recently, Saimeena and her aunt went viral on social media after a video of them condemning the slow response by authorities in rescuing victims was uploaded on Twitter.
Saimeena’s anger over the failings of the authorities remains stronger than ever.
“When the government implemented the movement control order, we saw them deploying the military swiftly, and used drones to monitor.
“Why couldn’t they use the same assets swiftly to tackle the floods?” Saimeena asked.
Meanwhile, Megala Murthi, who was previously interviewed by The Vibes after being rescued from the floods, is also now attempting to return to normal life – or at least, what could be said as normal in these circumstances.
When she previously spoke about the floods, Megala also expressed anger over the inaction of the authorities, insisting it was everyday citizens that came to help.
Today, when contacted again, she said the situation is the same.
I’m still angry because the help we are receiving now is from the public. Our daily meals right now are all provided by the public.
“Until now, I have yet to receive any food baskets from the government,” Megala said.
In addition to anger, Megala also shares the same fears as many flood victims.
In fact, just like Saimeena, Megala is looking to move out from Taman Sri Muda due to the trauma.
While speaking to The Vibes, she explained it was drizzling, causing her to panic.
“I estimate my losses at RM80,000 and it could be more.
“It feels like I am restarting my life,” Megala said when contacted.
She returned home two days after she was rescued, and Megala said all she could do was cry when seeing the devastation.
Fortunately for Megala, when her sister took to social media to seek aid, around 20 individuals came to her area to help with the clean-up.
The floods, among the country’s worst in decades, have killed 48 people as of yesterday, with five still missing and tens of thousands of others displaced. – The Vibes, December 28, 2021
