Baling villagers at their wit’s end after floods sweep away bridges

 

A temporary bridge built by villagers in Kampung Teluk Rambong, Baling, Kedah. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

With makeshift bridges constantly been destroyed by floods, residents in Kampung Teluk Rambong, Baling, Kedah, have called for the immediate construction of a new permanent bridge.

Since Sept 30, the village has experienced three waves of floods, which not only destroyed the bridges but also damaged several homes.

Yusof Nor, 61, said most of the villagers found no way to transport their produce like oil palm, rubber and bananas to markets, Bernama reported. Schoolchildren also have difficulty reaching their schools.

“I run durian and banana farms and have been living here for almost 50 years. I can say these floods are unlike anything I have ever seen before.”

Yusof said a steel bridge used to serve the residents but it was also washed away.

The villagers had been using coconut tree trunks to build bridges but these cannot stand the weight of cars.

“We hope that the relevant parties will build a safer and permanent bridge,” he said.

Ismail Abdullah, 72, said he was very concerned as he had used up a lot of his savings to plant his pumpkins, which would be ready for harvest in two weeks.

“How am I going to transport 30 tonnes of pumpkins?

“Today, I received a delivery of 500 rubber tree saplings. I had a lot of difficulty transporting them to my estate, located about one kilometre from one of the damaged bridges.

“The lorry that delivered them couldn’t drive straight into my rubber estate,” he said.

Ismail said the alternative bridges built by the villagers could not last more than six months and were unable to support heavy loads.

“It’s really not safe for cars. The coconut trunks also cannot withstand floodwaters and rot quickly.

“I hope a permanent bridge can be built soon because it’s difficult for us to carry out agricultural activities which are the main source of income for the residents here,” he said. - FMT