Knee-deep muddy waters at the Taman Chepor Impian neighbourhood on April 30. — Courtesy photo
ANXIETY builds at a neighbourhood in Meru Raya, Ipoh, every time they see dark clouds in the sky.
About 16 households in Taman Chepor Impian were inundated on April 30 and residents there now live in fear whenever it rains.
Those who lived through the nightmare claimed that the cause of the muddy waters flooding their homes was a nearby housing development situated on higher ground.
Suhaimi’s muddied home in the aftermath of the flash flood.
Nor Ashikin Yusoff, from Laluan Chepor Impian 14, said the recent flash flood was the worst since she moved into the area about 20 years ago.
“We have been on high alert ever since and have even moved our cars to higher ground nearby as we cannot afford to bear the cost of further damage,” she added.
The 48-year-old housewife claimed there had been signs of an impending flash flood since last year.
“Back in September, there had been some early signs when muddy water spilled over to Jalan Seramik Chepor 11/1.
“As it did not enter our homes, we did not think it was serious,” she said when met recently.
Residents did not have time to remove all their vehicles. — Courtesy photos
A few months ago, Nor Ashikin said floodwaters entered their porch and reached ankle level.
The road outside our homes turned into a muddy stream, she added.
“We did not mind it that much and just washed away the mud. But on April 30, the floodwaters rose up to our knees.”
Nor Ashikin said a number of electrical appliances were destroyed by the floodwaters, which also entered her car.
“We were so afraid of getting electrocuted when the water entered our house,” she said.
Sulaiman showing the water level of the recent flash flood at his home in Taman Chepor Impian.
She estimated the cost of damage to be about RM10,000.
“It was then that our patience ran out,” she added.
Nor Ashikin said she and her neighbours were not against development but felt the project site could have been managed better.
“We had complained to Ipoh City Council and the assemblyman but nothing was done then,” she said.
Over at Lorong Chepor Impian 14, Wan Azizan Abdul Rahman believed the drainage system in the neighbourhood could not cope with the amount of rain.
The 54-year-old said residents believed that the new development’s drainage system was connected to theirs.
“I don’t think it was a good idea to share the same drainage system.
Nor Ashikin says the flood was the worst she has experienced living in the area for nearly two decades.“The development should have its own drainage system. This is one of the ways to resolve the flooding,” he suggested.
Wan Azizan said the development project was situated on higher ground and had a gradient that caused water to flow towards the direction of Taman Chepor Impian.
“During a downpour, the water from the project site would flow into the drain in our area, causing it to overflow.
“It was so bad on April 30 that floodwaters even flowed back through the pipes into our bathroom,” he recounted.
Wan Azizan said the developer had put up an earth bund between the project site and their residential area.
“When it rained heavily, the bund broke and this created the muddy water,” he said, adding that those affected had planned to get compensation from the developer.
Wan Azizan, who is self-employed, further said that the recent flash flood had traumatised the residents.
“Whenever we hear thunder and when it rains, we would go outdoors to check whether we need to prepare for the worst.
“It has been raining late in the afternoon in recent weeks, so we are quite worried,” he added.
Wan Azizan also suggested that the developer put up hoarding around the perimeter of the project site.
“The residents here have children and they can just climb over to the project site.
“Children being children, we might not be able to monitor them all the time, so we are concerned about their safety.
“We urge the developer to fence up their project site to prevent any untoward incidents,” he said.
Wan Azizan also believed the developer should have conducted a risk evaluation study before starting the project.
“Had they done that, the project would not have affected us,” he said.
Sulaiman Abdullah, who lives along Lorong Chepor Impian 15, said he lost RM15,000 worth of flowers, plants and vegetables that he cultivated, to the flood.
Electronic items including computers destroyed in the flash flood.
“I plant bougainvillea, moss-rose purslane and yam plants to be sold.
“Most of the plants were destroyed during the flash flood,” said the 61-year-old who also works as a cleaner.
Sulaiman said he started cultivating the plants about four years ago.
“I was also preparing for my daughter’s wedding then.”
Sulaiman, who has lived in the area for about three decades, said his furniture, television and washing machine were also damaged.
“Thankfully my wife and I were at home, and we managed to save some belongings.”
Sulaiman’s neighbour Suhaimi Ismail, 46, said it took two days for him and his wife to clean their home after the flash floods.
“We started cleaning our home at about 7pm on (April 30) until 3am and continued again later that morning.
“I was forced to throw so many things away, including carpets, washing machine, television, grass-cutting machine and equipment used to make knives,” he added.
Suhaimi hopes that the developer or the authorities would take the necessary steps to ensure there would be no more flash floods in the area.
“We just don’t want to experience it anymore,” he said, adding he has lived there for 18 years.
City council takes action
Ipoh mayor Datuk Rumaizi Baharin said Ipoh City Council (MBI) issued a notice to the developer earlier this month to take necessary action to prevent further flash floods in Taman Chepor Impian.
“The developer had been notified to take mitigation steps, according to the approved earthwork plan.
“MBI will conduct enforcement efforts soon,” he said.Rumaizi advised those affected by the flash flood to seek compensation from the developer for damage to their properties.
“And I will recommend doing so through one lawyer,” he added.
Perak local government committee chairman Sandrea Ng said the developer was found by the city council to have failed to maintain and monitor the earthwork at their site.
“In addition, the flash flood was also due to the temporary catchment pond not being maintained well.
“The pond has shrunk due to mud deposits and sediments.
“MBI has issued a reminder notice for repair works to the things that caused the failure of the earthworks and subsequently resulted in flash floods, so that the flash flood will not recur,” she said.
Ng said MBI was also prepared to issue a compound to the developer if necessary.
“The developer needs to build a drain (at the project site) and a bund to prevent water from spilling into Taman Chepor Impian, as a temporary mitigation measure.
“Hoarding is also expected to be put up between the project site and the housing area,” she said.
She added that the city council would continue to monitor the issue.
