Mentakab house owners left helpless in flooding ordeal

TEMERLOH: There is nothing much that the residents of Kg Batu Kapor here can say, other than their shock and dismay at seeing their homes completely submerged in the recent floods which they said was the worst ever in 50 years.

"At this point, there is nothing we can do but just wait for the water to recede so we can go home and check on our house," said an evacuee when met at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Seri Semantan, Mentakab on Thursday. .

We give up and accept this as fate," said Wardiana Bucin, 53.

Floodwaters at her house where she lives with her husband and two youngest sons, began to rise on Saturday (Dec 18) and her house was completely submerged on Monday.

Although her village was hit by floods almost every year, Wardiana said the disaster this time was extraordinary as the highest water level recorded last January, was about an inch from the ceiling of her house.

"Usually, we place our electrical appliances on the ceiling compartment which was built for floods, but this time, no items could be saved as the house was fully submerged," she added.

Sharing a similar sentiment, Siti Zubaidah Md Nazari, 33, said the house, she lives in with her mother and two younger siblings was also completely submerged and remained unseen until Thursday.

"Our house is next to my grandfather and elder sister's houses. All three houses were submerged and my grandfather's wooden house was swept away by strong currents," she added.

However her family managed to bring along a few clothes and important documents before evacuating to the relief centre as the water rose sharply.

"All three houses are a total loss. However we are thankful that we are alive and all our family members are safe," said her sister, Zarina Md Nazari, 38.

A check by Bernama at the village on Thursday evening found the water level had receded by about one metre, while scores of houses were still submerged up to the roof level.

-- BERNAMA