A Taiping father clung to a clothes rack while his children floated on an ice box lid during severe flooding that displaced over 2,000 residents.
TAIPING: A man desperately clung to a clothes drying rack while placing his children on an ice box lid to keep them afloat during severe flooding here last night.
Suhaziman Mohd Suhaimi, 35, said he had no other choice as the water rose rapidly to his neck level while waiting for help to arrive.
The Taman Larah Damai resident recounted being trapped in his house compound with his wife and two daughters for nearly three hours before authorities rescued them.
“The children were crying in fear as the situation became chaotic when the water level rose so high,” he told Bernama when met at his home today.
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He explained that heavy rain started around 4 pm and continued until 7 pm, with water surging into his house in less than five minutes.
A video showing Suhaziman clinging to the rack while holding the ice box lid with his children has since gone viral on social media.
Taman Larah Damai is among several areas affected by floods in the Larut Matang Selama and Manjung districts, forcing over 2,000 residents to evacuate to 22 relief centres.
Suhaziman, who works at Taiping Hospital, said he was unable to save any belongings including household items, electrical appliances, important documents, his car and motorcycle.
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He added that this was the worst flood he had experienced since moving to the area three years ago.
“Although we lost everything, I am grateful my family is safe,” he said.
Meanwhile, another resident Mohamad Hailzandan Zakaria, 49, said he and his wife returned home to find their house severely damaged by the floodwaters.
“Most of our furniture, electrical appliances, and household items were destroyed and had to be thrown away,” said Mohamad Hailzandan, who has lived in the area for two years.
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As of 8 am today, 2,171 residents from 759 families have been evacuated to 22 relief centres in the LMS and Manjung districts after continuous heavy rain since yesterday morning.
Among the affected areas in LMS are Kampung Sungai Baru, Kampung Salak Baru, Kampung Sungai Lubok, Kampung Masjid, Taman Kota Wira, Taman Kemunting Tiara, Taman Lara Aman, Taman Lara Damai, Kampung Changkat Larah, Taman Kaya and Taman Damai. – Bernama
