Kuala lumpur: Residents of Kampung Paya Embun and Kampung Melayu Raya here have urged the authorities to improve the drainage system and widen the nearby river, which they believe has been the main cause of recurring flash floods during heavy rain. Norhayati Ariffin, 54, from Kampung Melayu Raya, said she feared floods could strike again if no action is taken, as her house is located directly in front of a drainage channel.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the mother of two said her village has been hit three times this year, forcing her family to seek shelter at a temporary relief centre (PPS). The latest floods, caused by heavy rain around 1.30 am yesterday, saw water rise to thigh level, damaging most household items, including electrical appliances, and resulting in losses of more than RM10,000.

Norhayati described the recent flood as almost as severe as one that occurred a week before Hari Raya, with water rising rapidly, leaving little time to save belongings. Meanwhile, Azman Jaafar, 43, from Kampung Paya Embun, emphasized the need to widen the river behind his house and properly manage the excavated soil to prevent it from returning to the river.

He noted that the floods struck swiftly, catching many residents off guard as water entered their homes. However, the waters receded by 11 am yesterday, allowing residents to commence cleanup efforts today. A Bernama check earlier today found residents starting to clean their homes in the hot weather.

The PPS at Sekolah Kebangsaan Melayu Raya, which housed 159 residents from 46 families in five villages since 6 am yesterday, was fully closed at 2 pm today. State Disaster Management Committee chairman Datuk Asman Shah Abd Rahman attributed the flooding to continuous heavy rain and water runoff from Gunung Pulai affecting several villages, including Kampung Melayu Raya, Kampung Paya Embun, Kampung Pak Kalib, Kampung Seri Menanti, and Kampung Maju Jaya.