RANTAU PANJANG: A family of five were forced to squeeze into their car for the night, yesterday, after their residence in Kampung Gual Periok here was hit by floods.
Roslan Deraman, 43, said he and his wife, Suhaida Mustafa, 39, decided to spend the night in the car after their home was submerged in 0.7 metres of water, while the upper floor was filled with belongings that were moved up to avoid being submerged.
He said he did not expect the water to rise so suddenly and did not have time to register at the temporary relocation centre besides being informed that it was already at capacity.
"My wife and I just slept intermittently while monitoring the condition of our three children aged three to 15, and at the same time, worrying about whether the car park area would also be flooded.
"We only brought a few pieces of clothing, food, and drinks into the car. Luckily, the car was filled with gas early yesterday morning when the flood was still shallow. I hope the water will recede soon because I am also worried about my youngest child, who is not very healthy," he said when contacted today.
Roslan said he had bought necessities and food early because almost every year his residence was trapped due to the main road being flooded.
"Actually, before the construction of the embankment, the Integrated River Basin Development Project (PLSB) for the Golok River, our house had never been flooded, but after this project was implemented, we also became victims.
"I hope those involved are aware of what is happening because we, the residents around Rantau Panjang, can no longer bear the damage to property and the pressure caused by this major flood," he said.
According to him, he suffered losses of almost RM10,000 in last year's flood when furniture, electrical appliances, motorcycles and house doors were damaged due to prolonged flooding.