Note: This piece was submitted by a reader after the recent flash flood incident that hit several areas in Seremban. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims.
My name is Thanendran Raj and I am here to tell you a heartbreaking story about a flash flood that occurred in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan yesterday (3 November) that ruined many families. This is the story of my aunt’s family that almost lost their lives yesterday.
My aunt, Paramesvary Paskaran who works in Majlis Perbandaran Seremban as a road sweeper, lives in a terrace house located at Taman Happy, Seremban. She suffers from a complicated medical condition where she has been hospitalised almost four times in 2020 itself. Despite all the hardships faced, she never neglected her responsibilities towards her husband, daughters and four grandchildren.
On 3 November 2020, just like any other day, after completing her household chores, singing a lullaby to her grandchildren, she realised that it was a rainy cold night due to the continuous rain. But she never anticipated a situation where her whole house would be partially submerged into almost 2m depth of rainwater. However, it is common knowledge that the residential place is no stranger to flash floods.
Realising the water level was rapidly rising in her house, she started to wake her sleeping grandchildren and was frantically searching for a safe location to move them to. The horrendous rain caused rapid movement of water on the road and drainage, stopping her from bringing her family out while also searching for a rescue team. While still panicking, she then lifted each of her grandchildren and placed them on the top bed of a double-decker bed, which at that moment was the highest point inside the house. She also managed to climb up the double-decker bed and hung on to the bed railing as the water was already exceeding the level of the second decker.
Waiting anxiously for almost 2 hours, she felt that it was the end of her life and her beloved family. As the house was being filled with water, her eyes were filled with tears waiting to be rescued. Approximately at 4am the next morning, BOMBA officers arrived and rescued her family.
The flood flushed out important documents, birth certificates, refrigerators and furniture. Although she lost almost everything that she owns, she is still grateful to the Almighty for saving the lives of her family members, as am I. They only had their lives and muddy clothes left that day. Everything happened without a warning, and if it were not for the double-decker bed and the search and rescue team, I would have lost my one and only beloved aunt and her family.
They are in desperate need of help in any way possible. They truly need the support of generous contributors. I hope something can be learnt from this story on the awareness of flash floods and how it can ruin lives.
Those who would like to contribute to the family, here are the bank and contact details;
Account No: CIMB BANK – 7629839307 (Santhi)
Parameswary: 010-273 3545
Santhi (Daughter) :018-385 4025
