KAMPAR – The owners of a homestay in Kg Sahom, here, incurred losses of about RM50,000 due to a flash flood in the area last Wednesday.
Their representative, Nasruliyati Lasa, 45, said the incident affected eight units of the homestay, which was operated by two sisters for the past 10 years. She added that the homestay is located near Sg Rias and that the flash flood has affected equipment and supplies provided for visitors.
“There was heavy rain and thunder during the incident. We thought it was the usual occurrence since it is common here. But the situation worsened until flood waters rose at the entrance to the homestay… a small bridge leading to the place collapsed,” she said.
It was reported that, so far, 91 Kg Sahom residents have been evacuated to the SK Sahom relief centre since Wednesday night after flash floods affected several houses in the village and the Sg Rias water level rose sharply following continuous rain that day.
Nasruliyati said her team had to bear the losses after it had to cancel 20 reservations made in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebrations.
Meanwhile, Mohd Azlan Helmi, the Tualang Sekah state assemblyman, who is also the State Communications, Multimedia and Non-Governmental Oganisations Committee chairman, said they are collecting data related to losses incurred by tourism industry operators in the area to be handed over to the relevant agencies. – Bernama, January 14, 2023