By FARIK ZOLKEPLI | Dec 9, 2009
Kampung Laut residents brace for floods
JOHOR BARU: Residents of Kampung Laut here are bracing for the worst after receiving news of floods hitting the east coast states.
The villagers are always on their toes and prepared for the worst as their village was the city’s worst-affected area during the massive 2006 floods that hit Johor.
Housewife Norazizah Jamak, 26, said she would get scared when there were torrential rains.
“We have begun moving our clothes and household appliances to higher spots in our house.
“We are not taking chances after the two waves of floods in 2006 and want to be well prepared,” she said, adding that her house was submerged during the previous incidents.
“I really hope that such floods do not occur again. We lost all our valuables as we had to evacuate quickly when the water started flowing in,” she said.
Fellow resident Tukiman Ahmad Jalil, 54, felt that ample preparations were needed long before a flood occurred.
“Moving household items to a higher level in the house is one step. We must also be mentally prepared to clean the mud-ridden house and throw away precious belongings in the aftermath,” he said.
Tukiman said he had no plans to relocate as he loved the village where he had been staying for more than 20 years.
“If the floods hit, we will follow the instructions of the authorities and move to the relief centres.
“Moving to another location permanently is not an option as I cannot afford it,” said the small-time entrepreneur.
Meanwhile, State Fire and Rescue Department director Abdul Ghani Daud said the department had put its 1,100 personnel on standby to help flood victims.
“We are equipped with 15 boats to carry out rescue operations,” he said.
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