JOHOR BARU: Norzahidah Mohd Azhar’s excitement to finally celebrate Hari Raya in her hometown in Pontian was dampened after her village was hit by a flash flood.

       The 27-year-old housewife had gone back to her village, Kampung Jasa Sepakat, on Hari Raya eve to celebrate with her husband, parents and two siblings.

       Norzahidah Mohd Azhar

       “We live in Pasir Gudang and our house in Pontian is often left empty. We will only visit and stay there during special occasions such as Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

       “This is the first time we got to spend Raya there after two years and we were all excited to finally be able to soak in the kampung atmosphere again.

       “Unfortunately, we ended up leaving the house on the third day of Hari Raya as water started flowing in,” she said.

       The family took shelter at a relative’s house nearby after the flash flood early Wednesday morning.

       “We returned to our village house around noon today (yesterday) as the water had receded. We are now cleaning the house before returning to Pasir Gudang,” she said.

       Norzahidah’s family was among dozens from three villages in Pontian affected by flash floods that started at about 3.30am on Wednesday.

       As at 4pm yesterday, 168 victims from 31 families were placed at three temporary relief centres (PPS) in Pontian.

       According to the state disaster management committee, two other affected villages were Kampung Sri Gambut and Kampung Bukit Panjang.

       “The number of victims as at 8am on May 5 had gone up to 168, from fewer than 20 the previous morning. “The number remains the same as at 4pm,” it said in a statement yesterday.