Worst flood in Alor Pongsu since 18 years ago

TheEdge Mon, Aug 23, 2021 02:18pm - 2 years View Original


BAGAN SERAI (Aug 23): The current flood in Alor Pongsu is said to be the worst since 18 years ago.

A survey by Bernama to the affected areas today found the floodwater in some of the residential areas had yet to recede, with Kampung Matang Pasir and Kampung Parit Simpang Lima still under one metre of water.

The flood, which hit the area since last Friday, following continuous heavy rain, shocked villagers who were unprepared and they did not have time to save their property and personal documents.

Lorry driver Jamaludin Ahmad, 54, who is among the evacuees at the relief centre (PPS) at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Alor Pongsu here, hopes the floodwater in his village would recede soon, so that he could bring his family home.

Jamaludin, of Kampung Matang Pasir, is at the PPS with his wife and four children.

“The water in the village is still one-metre deep, which is still the same level when we were evacuated last Friday,” he said, adding that most of the furniture, as well as refrigerator, washing machine and his motorcycle were damaged.

Another evacuee, Saerah Abdul Rahman, 75, a single mother from Kampung Parit Simpang Lima, said the fast-rising floodwater was unexpected and she was thankful to her neighbours for helping to move some of her belongings to a higher place.

"I live alone. The water was only ankle deep, but by 1.30am yesterday, it was already chest-high. Luckily for me, there are neighbours and relatives who live nearby to help me,” she added.

Another single mother, Salasiah Hashim, 71, of Kampung Matang Pasir, who was alone at home when flood hit the village, said she hoped there would be some form of aid for those affected by the flood as many of their household goods and furniture were damaged.

As of this morning, the number of flood victims in Perak recorded a slight increase with 291 people from 79 families at four PPS in three districts, compared with 284 yesterday.

The districts include Larut, Matang and Selama with 68 people (19 families) at the PPS at SK Alor Pongsu and 102 people from 32 families at SK Matang.

The exit at the Alor Pongsu Toll Plaza on the North-South Expressway (PLUS) is also reported to be flooded due to a bund burst at the Sungai Samagagah flood mitigation plan (RTB) and only passable by heavy vehicles.

Meanwhile, the police advised evacuees not to worry about losing their belongings at home as patrols are conducted in areas affected by the flood.

Kerian district police chief Supt Mazuki Mat said a total of 20 policemen from the Bagan Serai police station and the Kerian district police headquarters (IPD) had been assigned to monitor and patrol the affected areas.

Apart from that, Mazuki said the District Commercial Crime Division is also monitoring social media to ensure that no one takes advantage of the flood to collect donations, purportedly for the flood victims.

The content is a snapshot from Publisher. Refer to the original content for accurate info. Contact us for any changes.






Related Stocks

MATANG 0.085

Comments

Login to comment.