KUALA LUMPUR – Some residents of Kg Kubu Gajah in Shah Alam faced extensive damage to their homes after flash floods inundated the area and its vicinity following an hour-long downpour yesterday.
While the floods did not force residents to seek refuge in relief centres, the community now grapples with a substantial amount of mud invading their homes.
‘One of the worst’
Indera Nahar, 44, a driver employed by a private company, recounted how the floodwaters reached waist-level in his one-storey home – causing damage not only to furniture but also to his car.
Having resided in Kg Kubu Gajah for over 19 years, Indera remarked on the frequency of floods in the area, noting that this recent one was particularly severe.
“This is one of the worst I’ve witnessed in recent years. So cleanup efforts lie ahead,” he said.
Assessing the damage, Indera estimated previous losses from floods to have amounted to RM10,000.
He further lamented the timing of this disaster, which occurred shortly after Aidilfitri celebrations, for which he had already incurred expenses.
DIY mitigation
Meanwhile, another resident, Roslinda Abu Kassim, 30, shared that her family’s proactive measure of installing a retaining wall around their home helped mitigate potential damages.
She noted that due to the preventive measures adopted after the significant floods in 2022, their property suffered minimal harm and was limited to a motorcycle.
Earlier in the day, Selangor Fire and Rescue Department assistant director of operations Ahmad Mukhlis Mukhtar reported receiving two emergency calls regarding flood incidents.
The first call, received at 4.47pm, was concerning floods at Jalan Jati, Kg Melayu Subang.
“A team comprising eight personnel from the Bukit Jelutong Fire and Rescue Station, equipped with two vehicles and a boat, promptly responded to the location,” Mukhlis said.
He added that the second emergency call, received at 5.44pm, reported flooding at Jalan Gajah 23, Kg Kubu Gajah.
Responders from the Sg Buloh Fire and Rescue station, comprising eight personnel, two vehicles and a boat, swiftly arrived at the scene.
While floodwaters had risen approximately 0.6m, no evacuations were deemed necessary as the water levels displayed a decreasing trend, he said. – April 17, 2024