SIK: The floods that hit several villages in the district yesterday is the worst ever in six decades as floodwaters rose rapidly.
It is estimated that over 100 homes in 11 villages were affected following two hours of heavy rainfall that began at 4pm yesterday.
Among the affected villages are Kampung Lubuk Tualang, Kampung Belimbing, Kampung Jerai, Kampung Bendang Tebal and Kampung Chepir.
Kampung Lubuk Tualang villager, Rafeah Yaakob, 67, said yesterday, floods were the worst she had ever experienced since living here over the past 60 years.
"Normally, the floodwater level would reach about half a metre but this time it reached one metre deep. We did not have time to move our belongings as the floodwaters rose quicker than usual.
"We only managed to move our refrigerator and a few other appliances but the rest were soaked in the floodwaters," she said.
The mother of four said the strong currents caused the riverbank near her home to collapse and she is now worried that the house is no longer safe to be occupied.
Rafeah, who is earning a meagre income as a rubber tapper said she has nowhere else to go.
"I am praying that the relevant authorities will help repair the riverbank as soon as possible. I am very worried that my house would collapse if the floods strike again, anytime soon," said the single mother.
Another flood victim, Manan Ramli, 59, said the floodwaters started seeping into his house at about 6.30pm yesterday.
"When the floodwaters started to rise, I drove to higher ground and took my wife and three grandchildren to a neighbour's house as the water level had increased by half a metre.
"The floodwaters then rose further to one metre deep in less than 10 minutes. We had no time to move our furniture and electrical appliances to higher ground," said the rubber tapper.
The floods had also washed down tree trunks to the house compound; the last such incident to have happened was three years ago.
Another victim, Suhaimi Abdullah, 53, said his furniture and electrical appliances were still hit by the floodwaters despite already moving them to higher ground.
"The floodwaters current was stronger than usual. I estimate the losses to be about RM5,000. My children's school uniform and books were also damaged by the floods .
"We are worried that another wave of floods will hit the village if the heavy rainfall continues," he said.
Meanwhile, a total of 67 people from 20 families in 11 villages in three sub districts here have been relocated to three temporary flood relief centres following yesterday's floods.
They are currently taking shelter at the Balai Islam relief centre in Kampung Tanjung Belit, the Surau Kampung Belimbing and SK Kebangaaan relief centres.
Sik Welfare Services Department officer Shamsul Izrin Isahak said the victims have been relocated to the temporary relief centres since 10pm yesterday.
"The heavy rainfall started at about 4pm and lasted for almost four hours, causing the Chepir river to overflow into the affected villages.
"Until now, one temporary relief centre has been closed while the other two are still active. Most of the victims have returned to their homes to carry out cleaning up works," he said.