Tragic Floods Turn Ipoh Into a ‘Dirty Lake’ – Over 300 Families Affected
Source: The Rakyat Post
In a heartbreaking turn of events, torrential rains lasting over 10 hours transformed Ipoh’s Fair Park residential area into a muddy disaster zone. Over 300 families woke up to their homes submerged under more than a meter of floodwater after the Kinta River overflowed, leaving streets and cars engulfed in debris-laden waters.
“This is the worst flooding we’ve seen in 20 years,” said a resident, devastated by the scene of destruction. Rescue teams had to navigate chest-deep waters, evacuating stranded families, infants, and the elderly using boats. The Anjung Bercham Utama neighbourhood bore the brunt of the flooding, with waist-high water levels even for rescue personnel.
Flooding Worsens Across Northern and Southern Regions
The impact wasn’t limited to Ipoh. Regions like Batu Gajah, Sungai Siput, and Kampar also faced severe flooding, adding to Malaysia’s nationwide flood crisis. As of 1 December, temporary evacuation centres nationwide still shelter 148,024 evacuees.
While Selangor and Perlis have fully closed their evacuation centres, Kelantan and Terengganu remain heavily impacted. Terengganu shelters 94,214 evacuees, with Pasir Mas housing 29,846 alone. Meanwhile, Kelantan reports 41,788 displaced across eight districts. Kedah is also not spared, with 8,468 evacuees and road closures hampering rescue efforts.
Further south, Johor houses 528 displaced individuals, while Melaka and Negeri Sembilan record 238 and 1,561 evacuees respectively. Pahang sees an uptick in evacuees, especially in Raub, Jerantut, and Lipis, with rivers at dangerous levels and key roads rendered impassable.
Hope Amidst Chaos
Despite the overwhelming destruction, Malaysians have rallied together. Viral videos on social media show inspiring acts of bravery, from neighbours wading through floodwaters to rescue the elderly to volunteers forming boat brigades for trapped families. Others risked their lives to save stranded animals.
This sense of community shines amid the bleak scenes of submerged neighbourhoods and murky waters, highlighting the resilience of ordinary Malaysians in extraordinary circumstances.
