Selangor floods: 'Only staircase left of our family home'

 

A family home in Batu 18, Kampung Jawa, Hulu Langat has been washed away, leaving behind nothing but a concrete staircase after massive flooding in parts of Selangor.

The home, built in 1969, was left behind to eight siblings as family inheritance and was occupied by the eldest of them - 75-year-old Rohana Mahfuz.

Her younger sister, 56-year-old Rodiah Mahfuz said Rohana had begun shifting some important items to higher ground.

This was after the water level started to rise by nightfall and her neighbours advised her to move to a safer place.

"Kak Long (Rohana) moved her car to slightly higher ground and she was also able to move some important items to a safer place.

"But then Kak Long realised that the water level had already reached where the car was parked.

"When she wanted to move her car again the residents there advised her to immediately get going because the water level was rising rapidly," Rodiah told Malaysiakini.

To the family's shock, they later learnt that the entire house had been washed away.

"Only the staircase is left. All other items in the house could not be saved, including important documents such as her MyKad.

"Whatever it is, we are relieved that Kak Long is safe," Rodiah said.

Rodiah said the house had been damaged by floods before, but they had never seen anything like the latest flood.

"Our house is often flooded but it's not severe. We did not expect the whole house to be washed away.

"Eight of us siblings grew up in that house and since mom passed away, Kak Long lived there alone," she added.

Rodiah said the siblings hope to build a new home for their eldest sister before Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

"It's the place where we siblings gather every Aidilfitri," she said. - Mkini