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I could remember clearly , it was around July 2022, that was when I witnessed the worst flood ever in my over a decade . Just Like how any other rain will start during rainy season , cloudy skies, steady showers, and muddy roads. But one Friday evening, the rain began to fall harder than usual, and it just didn’t stop. By midnight, our street had turned into a river.
We initially hoped the flooding and heavy rainfall will reduce by morning, but it only got worse. Water had entered some homes and was rising fast. My family had to move everything we could to higher ground chairs, electronics, clothes. We even carried some items to our neighbor’s upstairs flat. The power was cut off, and phone networks became weak. It was as if nature had suddenly turned against us.
No one saw it coming, not to this scale. We were used to heavy rains, but this was different. Cars were floating, people were trapped, and the streets became dangerous. I remember seeing a woman crying as her shop got completely submerged. That night, I saw fear in people’s eyes,the kind of fear that reminds you how small you are.
staying together was how we coped. Families helped each other. Those with upstairs houses gave shelter to neighbors. Local churches opened their doors to flood victims. The reason why we survived was because we supported one another.
That experience taught me an important lesson , Preparation is the key.People should elevate important belongings. Communities should have emergency plans. Drainage systems must be cleared regularly to avoid blockage. Government bodies also need to give timely warnings.
If you ever find yourself in a flood, keep your phone charged, pack an emergency bag with food, water, flashlight, and documents. Don’t wait till the last minute to move. Listen to local news and most importantly, don’t panic.
In as much as natural disaster can shake many things , but also , the strength in us is revealed when we stand together.