KAMPUNG PASIR TEBRAU RESIDENTS RESIGNED TO FATE AS FLOODS STRIKE DURING RAMADAN

JOHOR BAHRU, March 20 (Bernama) -- Continuous heavy rain since early yesterday has caused flooding in several areas of the state.

A check in Kampung Pasir Tebrau found the Johor Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) personnel carrying out rescue efforts for villagers who were still in their homes.

Zaleha Bachok, 52, described the flood as one of the worst she had experienced in her 29 years of living with her family in the village.

The housewife said she and her family had no choice but to accept their fate as floodwaters rose to chest level, leaving them no time to save electronic equipment and other household items.

“It rained heavily yesterday morning and then stopped, but it started again this morning and kept pouring, causing water to rise...this year is really bad, as water outside my house is already chest high,” she said when met by reporters in Kampung Pasir Tebrau here today.

Zaleha said she and her family relocated to the relief centre at Sekolah Kebangsaan Bukit Mutiara this morning, prioritising the evacuation of her disabled child.

Asked about her Raya preparations, the mother of three said she had not made any yet, as she usually did them at the end of Ramadan.

Hairul Azim Jasmin, 21, could only watch in despair as her Raya preparations were ruined just days before the celebration.

“I had everything prepared, including new televisions, curtains, Raya outfits, but now it’s all gone... I haven’t even returned home to see what is damaged and what is left,” he said.

Hairul Azim hoped the relevant authorities would take necessary steps to help those affected by floods every year whenever there was heavy and continuous rain.

“This incident is almost similar to the major flood in March last year, which caused extensive damage.

“There are 54 houses here with 105 families, and nearly all have evacuated except for one family. I just hope more proactive measures will be taken to address this flood problem,” said the private sector worker, who has lived in the village for 21 years.

As of noon, the number of flood victims in the state has risen to 1,048 from 308 families across Johor Bahru, Pontian, and Kulai, compared to 893 victims from 257 families at 8 am

-- BERNAMA