Post-Flood: Residents In Kelantan Embrace Clear Weather

KOTA BHARU, Dec 31 (Bernama) -- Floodwaters that disrupted daily life just two days ago in this east coast state have begun to recede, allowing affected residents to rebuild their lives.

Villages affected include Kampung Panglima Bayu in Tanah Merah, Kampung Petaling in Kuala Krai, and Kampung Tengah in Machang.

A survey by Bernama today revealed villagers labouring under the sun to clean mud and debris from village roads that had temporarily turned into rivers. Some residents were repairing the walls of their homes and drying out furniture, while others worked together in the mosque courtyards to restore their places of worship.

The imam of Masjid Haji Abdullah Mukim, Kampung Panglima Bayu, Adli Ab Halim, 37, said the mosque was affected by the recent flooding, with water levels rising waist-high accompanied by strong currents. In the latest flood incident, the water level was twice as high as during the first wave of floods in November.

"The flood two days ago caused the concrete floor of the mosque compound to crack and break and left a large amount of debris inside the mosque.

"Since the weather today is clear and sunny, I, along with several mosque committee members, took the opportunity to clear the debris and wash the mosque walls," he told Bernama.

In Kampung Petaling, resident Mohd Hafis Hasan, 36, said the clear weather provided relief, enabling him to clean his house and prepare for future floods.

“Today, Alhamdulillah, I could dry the damaged furniture and household items. If it had been raining, I wouldn't have been able to do this.

"When I saw the weather forecast indicating that Kelantan would remain rain-free for a while, I felt a huge relief. This provided me with the opportunity to clean the mud-covered walls. The exhaustion is real, but the people here are accustomed to it," he said, adding that he had also taken precautions by relocating essential items to higher ground.

In Kampung Tengah, resident Abdul Somad Abdul Rahim, 43, welcomed the sunny weather but remained cautious about the potential for another flood.

"Yes, my house has been flooded three times this year. Many household items have been damaged and cannot be used anymore.

"The clear weather helps me salvage and dry out items that survived the floods, even though it can be exhausting. The house may be damaged, but our spirits remain strong to rebuild," he said.

-- BERNAMA