Ongoing flood mitigation works at Sungai Subang.
FLOOD victim Mohd Razali Ali, 14, has been hit doubly hard.
In addition to grappling with the loss of his possessions, the Kampung Kubu Gajah resident sustained a broken ankle in an accident after buying food and on his way back to the temporary flood relief centre (PPS) at Dewan MBSA Seri Pagi at Kampung Paya Jaras in Sungai Buloh.
Kampung Kubu Gajah is located beside Sungai Subang, which burst its banks following heavy rain.
“We wanted to evaluate the condition of our house. My family and I have been staying at the relief centre since Wednesday when our area was hit by the first round of floods.
Najwan (second, left) getting an update from Petaling district officer Huzunul Khaidil Mohammed (fourth from right) during a visit to the flood relief centre at Dewab MMSA Seri Pagi.
“Although the water had subsided, we were advised not to go home as more rain had been predicted,” said the teenager.
Mohd Razali is an orphan who lives with his aunt and grandparents.
“I was returning to the relief centre with food for my aunt and grandparents when I met with an accident.”
His aunt, Rokiah Yahya, 40, said the family’s focus for now was to ensure Mohd Razali’s ankle heals properly, adding that they wanted to go home as soon as possible to clean their house.
The heavy rain, which had brought floods to parts of Selangor, saw 26 families (101 victims) seeking shelter at the Seri Pagi multipurpose hall.
Among the other victims are month-old Nur Auniaqeela Norul Aei, who was carried to safety by her mother Mariam Yahya, 34.
A mother of seven, whose eldest is aged 17, Mariam said she had fled to the relief centre at the first sign of rising water, fearing for her children’s safety.
“I left everything behind, grabbing only my children’s birth certificates and identity cards.”
Having resided in Kampung Kubu Gajah for 20 years, Mariam said floods were rare occurrences in the village before 2017.
Mohd Razali (right) looking glumly at his broken ankle while sheltering at the temporary relief centre in Kampung Paya Jaras. — Photos: CHAN TAK TONG and GRACE CHEN/The Star
She expressed anger and disappointment over the lack of action to mitigate flooding in the area.
“Imagine having to spend Hari Raya Puasa and Hari Raya Haji in a flood relief centre. That is how bad the problem has become,” Mariam complained. She had to stay at a flood relief centre on both occasions this year.
Another resident, Husin Ibrahim who was seen going into his home to check on the extent of the damage caused by flood waters, said he regretted moving back to the area.
“My house was just beside Sungai Subang but it was demolished to make way for a river-widening project.
“I moved back here a few years ago, thinking the flood problem was solved. Unfortunately, it hasn’t,” said Husin, 45.
Visibly upset at the sight of his water-logged mattresses and mud-covered floor, Husin said he hoped something could be done to ease the villagers’ suffering.
On a visit to the banks of Sungai Subang, behind the villagers’ homes, StarMetro saw the Selangor Drainage and Irrigation Department’s signboard announcing a flood-mitigation project that was taking place at Sungai Subang.
Work started on Feb 5 this year and was expected to be completed on Aug 4, 2025.
Selangor youth, sports and entrepreneurship executive councillor Najwan Halimi, who visited the flood victims sheltering at the PPS yesterday, said constant monitoring would be carried out at flood-prone areas in light of the inclement weather.
“In addition to shelter, flood victims will be given food and medical aid.
“We have also set up two other flood-relief shelters at Dewan Kenanga, which is located in the Petaling District and Land Office and Dewan Bunga Matahari in U5, Shah Alam.
“These shelters are offering temporary relief to 265 and 48 flood victims respectively.
“In addition, the state government will also be giving emergency funds of RM1,000 to each family who is registered at the relief centre,” said Najwan.
Meanwhile, Deputy Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Minister Datuk Seri Ramanan Ramakrishnan, who is also Sungai Buloh MP, said his service centre would be working closely with volunteers, the Civil Defence, police, district and land office and the Welfare Department to ensure the needs of the flood victims were met.
Heavy rains also caused floods in Paya Jaras Hilir, Kota Damansara, Kampung Melayu Subang and Bandar Seri Coalfields.
The Dewan Kenanga and Dewan Bunga Matahari relief centres provide shelter for flood victims from Kota Damansara and Kampung Melayu Subang.
