RESIDENTS REFUSE TO LEAVE FLOODED HOMES
They believe that the floodwaters will subside shortly as in previous instances
RESIDENTS in low-lying areas here, including those living in the heart of Melaka’s historical city, were warned to evacuate their homes following the possibility of more flash floods.
State Secretary Datuk Seri Naim Abu Bakar told victims to heed evacuation notices issued by authorities to stay safe.
“Although water levels have risen waist-high in some areas, affected villagers refuse to move out despite being advised by the authorities.
“We hope that they cooperate and evacuate because we are concerned about their safety,” he said after visiting flood victims at SMK Munshi Abdullah here yesterday.
Besides the threat of more flash floods if the weather took a turn for the worse, he said there were concerns about snakes and other dangerous creatures.
Present were Melaka Civil Defence Department director and Flood Disaster Management chief secretariat LieutenantColonel Effendy Ali and Bukit Katil Umno chief Tan Sri Mohd Ali Rustam.
Effendy said some residents refused to evacuate because they believed that the floodwater would recede in a few hours, like in previous instances.
“But it was forecast that it may rain again later in the day.”
As at 3pm, 445 residents from 109 families were evacuated and placed in temporary shelters when flash floods inundated their homes, after several hours of continuous rain yesterday morning.
The affected villages in the Melaka Tengah district include Kampung Batu Hampar, Kampung Pulau Kelapa, Kampung Sungai Putat, Taman Bukit Beruang Bistari, Taman Melawis and Kampung Balik Pulau.
Other areas include Kampung Tanjung Minyak, Sungai Air Hitam, Kampung Tampoi, Taman Rambai Utama, Taman Rambai Jaya, Taman Tanjung Minyak Utama and Kampung Bertam Ulu.
In Jasin, 24 victims from eight families were evacuated to a temporary relief centre at SK Tehel.