Breaking News: Flash Floods Hit Kampung Charuk Tenang

A Night of Terror for Three Families

On Monday night, three families in Kampung Charuk Tenang faced a terrifying ordeal as floodwaters surged into their homes, trapping them indoors. The incident occurred around 10 pm and was likely triggered by four hours of heavy rain in the upper Sik region.

Swift Response by Civil Defence Force

Lt (Civil Defence) Haisul Aishah Mohd Napiah, the Sik district Civil Defence Officer, reported that the Civil Defence Force (APM) Operations Control Centre in Sik received an emergency call from one of the victims seeking help to evacuate as they were trapped by rising waters. Due to persistent rain until around 3 am, all affected families from the three houses were safely relocated to a secure area.

Other Affected Areas

Several other villages also experienced flash floods, including Kampung Bendang Man, Chepir in Jerai, upstream Sungai Chepir, and Lubuk Tualang in upper Sungai Charuk Tebal. Some families sought shelter at the Kampung Lalang surau, while three families moved to Kampung Tanjung Balai Islam.

Relief and Recovery

With floodwaters receding, the victims were able to return home the following morning to begin the cleanup. One victim, Nong Nart Bua Fon, shared her experience of the flood, emphasizing that it was the first time she had encountered such a harrowing ordeal in nearly two decades of living in the area.

Personal Account

Nong Nart Bua Fon, 40, recounted the rapid rise of water, reaching waist height while she was at home with her two young sons, aged 11 and 7. Her husband and eldest son were attending a funeral elsewhere at the time. Two neighbouring houses were also flooded, and those families sought refuge with nearby relatives.

This incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of natural disasters and the importance of being prepared for emergencies.

Analysis:

• Impact on Community: The flash floods in Kampung Charuk Tenang and surrounding areas have disrupted the lives of residents, forcing them to seek shelter and endure the cleanup process.
• Emergency Response: The swift action taken by the Civil Defence Force highlights the importance of having a well-coordinated response system in place during times of crisis.
• Personal Testimony: Nong Nart Bua Fon’s account provides a firsthand perspective on the emotional and logistical challenges faced by individuals and families during natural disasters.
• Resilience and Recovery: Despite the initial shock and damage caused by the floods, the affected families have shown resilience in returning home and beginning the restoration process.

  Overall, this incident underscores the need for communities to prioritize disaster preparedness and response strategies to mitigate the impact of such events in the future.