Kg Melayu Subang folk lose count of losses from recurring floods

Kampung Melayu Subang residents are increasingly frustrated by recurring floods that damage their homes and belongings, leaving little time to recover between incidents.

Following Tuesday's flooding, families are forced to discard damaged furniture and electrical appliances and clean their homes all over again.

Residents have questioned whether surrounding developments and the poor drainage system were contributing to the recurring problem.

Azeh Dol, 65, said floodwater rose so quickly that he barely had time to react before it entered his house.

"I stepped out of the house and saw the water level rising. When I turned around, it had already entered the house."

Rusimah Dahalian, 54, said the area has flooded three to four times this year, calling the latest hit the worst yet.

She said heavy rain had begun at 11.30pm on Tuesday, with floodwater entering homes about 1am before receding at 4am.

Unlike previous floods that affected only a few houses, she said 25 homes were affected this time around.

"Many things had to be thrown away," she added.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim visited flood victims at the temporary relief centre at Dewan Siantan, Kampung Melayu Subang, on Tuesday following an earlier flood.

Reports previously said more than 500 houses were affected by floods following heavy rain in several areas around Sungai Buloh, particularly Kampung Melayu Subang.

Sungai Buloh, Paya Jaras, Rawang and parts of Shah Alam were also affected, according to the Selangor Fire and Rescue Department.

Rusimah, who has lived in the village for 54 years, said floods had been a recurring problem since 2001, with the frequency increasing over the years.

Sanisah Dahalan, 51, said the family moved their belongings and vehicles to higher ground after her son alerted her just after midnight yesterday.

She managed only about 30 minutes of sleep after spending the night monitoring the situation and cleaning up.

She added that residents remained uncertain about assistance to cover their losses.

In a separate incident, a bridge along Jalan Kubu Gajah spanning Sungai Subang collapsed at 2am yesterday after strong currents eroded its riverbanks.

Due to the incident, the main route between Kampung Kubu Gajah and Paya Jaras Hilir has been cut off.