malaysiangMERSING, Jan 3 — Having gone through floods almost every year since making Kampung Pengkalan Batu here her home about 15 years ago, has taught Aminah Dollah to always be prepared especially in preparing to protect and store valuable items.
Aminah, 56, said though her family is already so used to the floods, they would always make the necessary preparations to be ready to face the disaster.
“When there is continuous heavy rains and the river water keeps rising, we will start packing,” said the mother of six who is a farmers’ market trader at Kampung Mersing Kanan.
“We have gotten used to the floods and same old routine of packing and keeping our electrical items, valuable possession and vehicles at a safer place.
“By the time it floods and the relevant authorities tell us to evacuate, we will have to take heed of the instructions and just leave our home to avoid further risks,” she said when met at the Mersing Polytechnic relief centre (PPS) here today.
Following torrential rain since yesterday, 371 flood victims from 94 families in Mersing district were evacuated to six nearby relief centres. However a check by Bernama found floodwaters have started to recede early today.
Meanwhile, housewife Zaleha Ismail, said her main concern was her 75-year-old mother’s health condition as she had suffered a stroke three years ago and she was also fearful as her house is located in a deserted area.
“Whenever it rains heavily especially during high tide, I become distraught and anxious.
“Yesterday when the rain did not stop and the floodwaters started to rise rapidly, I asked my son to call the Civil Defence Force (APM) to rescue us,” she said adding that her family of four were taken to the relief centre at 12.30 midnight in an APM truck.
“My son went home for a short while just now just to check if everything is alright….hopefully the weather will improve,” she said while feeling grateful for the services given to flood victims.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency
