KAMPUNG TANJUNG KALA RESIDENTS AFFECTED BY FLOODED BRIDGE EVERY TIME IT RAINS HEAVILY

KUALA KRAI, Nov 22 (Bernama) -- Almost 200 residents from 60 homes in Kampung Tanjung Kala near Kuala Pertang here have ended up stuck when their 200-metre (m) long concrete bridge flooded due to continuous heavy rain since yesterday.

Resident Zainuddin Daud, 61, said the bridge would often flood whenever it rained more than three hours.

"I’ve lived here since I was young and ever year, if it rains, especially in the monsoon season, we will be stuck.

"This has happened for a long time but I wasn’t sure whether we would be cut off when the new bridge is built, if it does, it will affect us all,” he told Bernama at Kampung Kuala Pertang here today.

Former oil palm plantation worker, Yusoff Sidi, 61, said he would not hesitate to evacuate to a relief shelter if the situation becomes worrisome as he was concerned for his wellbeing.

"There are two routes (bridges) that we can use, if this bridge is flooded, then we use the other one and if both are uncrossable, then we will be stuck and need to evacuate to the relief centre,” he said.

Kampung Kuala Pertang federal village security development committee chairman Adnan Mat Yassin expressed his hope that the over-30-year-old concrete bridge could be prepared quickly for the villagers’ use especially during the monsoon period.

"The authorities do want to get the bridge done but till now it’s not completed, so I urge the relevant authortieis to quickly get it done,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kuala Krai Fire and Rescue Station chief Nik Ahmad Afsham Nik Pa said when contacted that they would patrol the area intermittently within two to three hours and also depending on the rain conditions in the area to ensure the safety of the residents.

-- BERNAMA