MUAR: The thought of returning home to a mud-filled and damaged house has kept flood victims from any peace of mind.
“I am worried about having to face the damage to my house,” said primary school teacher Johari Komari, who is now at the temporary flood relief centre (PPS) in Kampung Jawa, Lenga here.
“The thought of it makes me sad. I believe there would be tears once I look at the condition of my house,” he said.
Despite feeling safe at the PPS, Johari is worried about the condition of his newly built house.
“I have been seeking refuge at this PPS since Tuesday with my wife and six children.
“So far, there have been no problems and I am also comfortable staying here as I am surrounded by my fellow villagers whom I have known for years,” he said yesterday.
Johari, 57, had also sought shelter in a PPS due to floods in 2011.
“The situation in the PPS was very different 10 years ago as there was no Covid-19 then.
“The flood victims would prepare their own food – donations came from the government and non-governmental organisations – instead of the packed food now,” he said.
Although housewife Rosnizawati Aziz is looking forward to going home, she dreads having to see what has become of her house.
“Nothing beats the comfort of being at home and I hope to be able to return soon. But cleaning the house and accepting the damage caused by the floods will not be easy for us,” she said.
Rosnizawati, 33, moved to Muar three years ago after getting married.
“This is the first time I have had to go through a flood,” she said.
As at noon yesterday, the number of evacuees in Johor remained at over the 5,000 mark.
State health and environment committee chairman R. Vidyananthan said a total of 5,486 individuals from 1,456 families were at 80 flood relief centres.
“The number of evacuees went up compared to the 5,399 recorded at 8am.
“Segamat is still the most affected district with 50 relief centres operating followed by Tangkak (13), Mersing (seven), Muar (five), Kota Tinggi (two), Batu Pahat (two) and Kluang (one),” he said.