NECK-DEEP WATERS: Residents recount hanging on to beams or climbing on roofs
KUALA LUMPUR: SEVERAL residents of Kampung Genting Malik, Batang Kali in Selangor were badly hit by floods on Monday, described as the worst in 40 years.
Ibrahim Hussin, 40, said as the floodwaters rose, all he could think of was the safety of his family: 7-month-old child, Nurul Atira Sofia, wife Nurul Syahida Mat Zaki, 21, mother in-law, Hasnah Yamal, 46, and his disabled brother-in-law Dzairul Azahairi, 27.
"I led my wife and child to a beam, along with my mother-in-law. My brother-in-law, his wife and I were submerged neck-deep in water.
"Dzairul's wife stood on a chair and held him tight, as he is paralysed."
Submerged for almost three hours, Ibrahim said he prayed that the floodwaters wouldn't rise further as they would not stand a chance if it did.
"I told my family to forget about our things," said Ibrahim.
The Meteorological Department in a statement yesterday said they recorded 183mm of rain in Batang Kali and 176mm in Ulu Yam, from 3am to 9am on Monday with the downpour being the heaviest between 5am and 6am.
Senior citizen Siri Jais, 83, was one of the first to be hit by the floods.
With part of the house washed away by the current, he said he was lucky to be alive.
"There's almost nothing left. The current swept away most of our things. All that was left were some clothes and curtains.
"The floodwaters rose suddenly and I couldn't save even our important documents," said Siri, adding that he and his grandson swam to their neighbour's house.
Siri's neighbour, Hambali Mat Taib, 54, said he could not ascertain his losses as he was just thankful that his family was safe.
"When I woke up around 5am, I noticed the rising water. I woke my wife up and we managed to save some important documents.
"But the floodwaters rose rapidly and we had no where to go. I told my daughter and wife to run towards the kitchen as it is a little higher than other parts of the house.
"While all this was happening, our neighbour, Siri and his grandson drifted into our house as they could not fight the currents."
Hambali's refrigerator fell on top of a cabinet, enabling his daughter and wife to climb up.
"Siri, his grandson and I practically hung from our kitchen window as the floodwaters rose up to our necks."
Nuriah Mohamad, 59, had to climb to her roof with her family to escape the floodwaters.
"The six of us sat on the roof and screamed for help," said Nuriah wiping her tears.
Selamia Ahmad, 48, a mother of six, said her main concern now was how her children would go to school as both her motorcycles were damaged.
"Four of my children are still in school. My main concern is their school supplies and how they are going to go to school. It will cost at least RM500 to fix each motorcycle," she said.
"The school authoritis said they understood my situation and allowed the children to miss a few days of school. They also allowed thems to wear regular clothes as we could only salvage some school uniforms and books."
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