Repair works being carried out on the collapsed bund on Sungai Tengi in Jalan Kilang Padi, Tanjung Karang.
IT WAS business interrupted for traders at the Tanjong Karang morning market who had no choice but to repack their stalls as flood waters started to rise in Pekan Tanjung Karang, Selangor, after Sungai Tengi burst its banks at around 7am on Tuesday (Oct 11).
Not as lucky were shop owners at the wet market. Many of them did not have time to move their perishable items to higher shelves to avoid the flood waters that had risen up to knee level in that area.
The floods also submerged the main roads of the town in muddy water, causing traffic heading to Kuala Selangor to come to a standstill for close to two hours.
A drone shot of the flooded roads of Pekan Tanjung Karang taken by Asrul Afeeq, one of the motorist who was stuck in the jam at that time.
Having grown up in Tanjung Karang, Asrul Afeeq, 34, one of the affected motorists, could vouch for the fact that flooding was a rare occurrence here.
The last incident was back in the 1990s when he was still in primary school, said the father of two. But he felt that this did not make it less upsetting for residents.
"A better bund, one that can withstand the pressure of rising water levels should have been built for Sungai Tengi in the first place.
"As a coastal town, the authorities must mark this as a high risk area. It is vulnerable during the high tide phenomenon and monsoon season," said Asrul who had taken drone shots of the floods while being stuck in the jam.
A flooded grocery shop at Pekan Tanjung Karang.
Kuala Selangor councillor Mohd Hatta Sanuri said upgrading works on the bund were being carried out when the floods occurred.
"The concrete pillars collapsed due to the pressure of the water swells causing water to overflow into the roads of Pekan Tanjung Karang and Jalan Masjid Baroh. Repair work is being carried out as we speak," said Mohd Hatta.
He also advised market shop owners and traders who have suffered losses due to the floods to make a police report.
"In addition to moving the morning market traders to higher ground for now, we will also hand out contributions to affected traders to ease their suffering," he said.
A social media statement released by Tanjung Karang Fire and Rescue Department said that seven personnel led by senior fire officer Zuraini Mohamed Rawian revealed flood level waters had come up to no more than 0.9m.
One victim, a senior citizen, had to be rescued during the incident.
