SHAH ALAM - Though the recent floods in several areas of Selangor were not as severe as those in December 2021, the psychological impact nevertheless still lingers for some victims, who continue to feel uneasy, especially when heavy rain falls in their neighbourhoods.
Housewife Hasmah Salehon, 53, remembers the massive flood from three years ago as an unresolved trauma, leading her to contemplate moving away from the high-risk area where she currently resides.
The resident of Padang Jawa for over 10 years, said recurring floods have become both physically and mentally exhausting, especially when she needs to clean the house and replace damaged items after each flood.
"When it rains late into the night, I can't sleep because the fear lingers, and yesterday's flood reminded me of the incident in 2021.
"This is the third time I have found myself in this situation, and I don't think I can handle it anymore. I might move back to my hometown next year," she told Bernama at the Temporary Evacuation Centre at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Shah Alam Seksyen 16 today.
Maizatul Akmarnizam, a 45-year-old private-sector employee, rushed home from work to retrieve important belongings and personal documents after receiving news that her house in Padang Jawa had flooded.
Despite being at the evacuation centre, Maizatul admitted that her anxiety remains as her house has been flooded three times since the 2021 major flood.
"I arrived at the centre at 8.30 pm after cleaning the house. When I noticed the water rising, I immediately instructed my children to move our belongings. They understand the situation since this is the third time we have experienced it," she said.
Social Welfare Department (JKM) administrative officer Nordiana Mohd Yunos said the number of flood victims placed at the SK Shah Alam evacuation centre has increased since it was activated at 3pm yesterday.
She said on the first day, 63 families, comprising 248 individuals, were housed at the centre, including 151 adults, 90 children, 16 senior citizens, and seven infants, as well as 12 persons with disabilities (PWDs), comprising 10 men and two women.
"Today, the number of victims seeking shelter here has increased to 253 people involving 65 families," she said. - BERNAMA