Knee-High Floodwaters Engulf Neighborhood in Saujana Utama, Selangor
A sudden and unexpected flood struck a neighborhood in Saujana Utama, Selangor, after a water retention bund in Taman Seri Alam collapsed during a storm, sending knee-high floodwaters into homes.
Residents Describe Chaos and Devastation
Hafifi Saleh, a 38-year-old self-employed individual, was one of the affected residents. He described the scene as chaotic, saying, "I suddenly heard a loud sound and saw that the bund had collapsed, sending a strong flow of water into my house and my neighbours’ homes. I quickly grabbed my wife and children, got them into my four-wheel-drive vehicle and drove to safety."
Hafifi’s house was severely affected, with water entering up to two feet high. "The water entered my house up to two feet high. After assessing the damage, I realised most of my furniture and household items were ruined," he said.
Second Time is a Charm for Some Residents
For Samsudin Adun, 49, this was the second time the bund had collapsed, causing a flash flood. "The first incident was in 2014, but the flood back then wasn’t as severe as today," he said. Samsudin, who was not home at the time, learned about the incident through the neighborhood’s WhatsApp group and was able to return home to find water about 60cm-high (2ft) inside the house. "Thankfully, the water subsided within 30 minutes," he said.
Residents Urge Authorities to Take Action
Samsudin urged the authorities to repair the bund immediately, especially since the area frequently experiences heavy rainfall during the northeast monsoon season.
Municipal Councillor’s Plan to Mitigate Future Floods
Kuala Selangor municipal councillor Maisarah Ismail announced that temporary barriers would be built at the site to prevent further flooding in the event of more heavy rain. She estimated that 10 houses were badly affected by today’s flash floods and advised the victims to evacuate, but they opted to stay and clean their homes since the water had receded. "Cleanup efforts and clearing debris from the collapse will be carried out tonight, followed by the construction of a temporary barrier," she added.
No Injuries or Casualties Reported
The Selangor fire and rescue department received a distress call about the incident at 5:15 pm, and the embankment’s collapse caused water to flood the housing area, but no injuries or casualties were reported.
Conclusion
The sudden and unexpected flood in Saujana Utama, Selangor, has left many residents affected, with some losing their belongings and others facing the prospect of displacement. As the authorities work to mitigate the effects of the flood, it is essential to ensure that measures are taken to prevent such incidents in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What caused the flood in Saujana Utama, Selangor?
A: A water retention bund in Taman Seri Alam collapsed during a storm, causing a flash flood in the area.
Q: How many houses were affected by the flood?
A: At least 10 houses were badly affected by the flood.
Q: Were there any injuries or casualties reported?
A: No, there were no reports of injuries or casualties.
Q: What is being done to mitigate the effects of the flood?
A: Temporary barriers will be built at the site to prevent further flooding in the event of more heavy rain, and cleanup efforts will be carried out to clear debris from the collapse.