Week after floods, some Mentakab areas still without clean water, power
Some areas in Mentakab, Pahang are still going without clean water and power, a week after flash floods wreaked the local infrastructure.
While much attention has been put on Taman Sri Muda, Shah Alam in Selangor which was similarly devastated by flash floods where authorities quickly swung into action to restore utilities after getting brickbats for the initial poor emergency response, the same cannot be said for Mentakab.
Despite flood water receding yesterday, residents in some parts here are having a hard time getting their lives back on...
Some areas in Mentakab, Pahang are still going without clean water and power, a week after flash floods wreaked the local infrastructure.
While much attention has been put on Taman Sri Muda, Shah Alam in Selangor which was similarly devastated by flash floods where authorities quickly swung into action to restore utilities after getting brickbats for the initial poor emergency response, the same cannot be said for Mentakab.
Despite flood water receding yesterday, residents in some parts here are having a hard time getting their lives back on track as clean-up efforts are impeded by a lack of clean water and electricity.
Mentakab assemblyperson Woo Chee Wan said while water services are being restored, pipes are still suffering from low pressure.
This is causing muddy water to flow from the pipes.
"I went to a Malay village this morning and found them using mud water to wash plates.
"Drinking water is an issue, and I'm trying my best to provide mineral water.
"Bathing is also an issue, and if they are Muslims, water is very important for (them to perform ablutions for) their prayers," Woo told Malaysiakini.
He also shared a photograph on social media of residents trying to clean their mud-tainted possessions with brownish water.
Besides water woes, Woo said the electricity supply has also not been fully restored, and there is a scarcity of generators.
Woo and others estimate that at least 80 percent of Mentakab's town areas and several villages were hit by the floods.
For the residents, one source of aid has been the local Thean Hou Temple, where volunteers from all around have gathered.
One volunteer, Jenny Chew, told Malaysiakini that volunteers at the temple are preparing up to 2,500 packs of food for each meal as the residents are unable to cook.
"Right now it is useless to send (dry) food packs to the victims. Their houses are emptied, even their rice cookers have been washed away.
"Plus there is no water and electricity," Chew, who is also the Temerloh Hainan Association secretary, said.
Meanwhile, another volunteer who came from Klang, Andy Kong, said because of the water conditions, bottled water is being used to prepare meals.
"Because the shop lots were impacted, items such as sanitary pads are also insufficient," he said.
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