Floods: Collapsed Homes Leave Kampung Jubakar Pantai Residents Traumatised

TUMPAT, Dec 4 (Bernama) -- Several families in Kampung Jubakar Pantai here, whose homes were destroyed by erosion caused by last Friday’s floods, have described the incident as a traumatic experience they will never forget.

Single mother Noraini Nawi, 43, shared that she, her sister, and her two children rushed out of their home when they saw the front of the house tilting due to the strong currents.

“As I was about to leave the house around 8 pm, I saw that my neighbour’s home, just a short distance away, had completely collapsed. I couldn’t stop shaking.

“I didn’t think twice and immediately grabbed both my children’s hands, and with my sister, we rushed out of the house, braving the strong currents to get to safety,” she told Bernama today.

Noraini, along with her eldest daughter Natasya Che Ali, 13, her sister Norma Nawi, 48, both persons with disabilities, and her other child Najihan Che Ali, 9, were later rescued by the police and relocated to the relief centre at Maktab Rendah Sains Mara Tumpat.

Noraini said although four days had passed since the incident, she was still traumatised and had not spoken to anyone at the relief centre, as she was still in shock over the disaster that had struck her family.

“My mind is blank, and I have no words to express how I feel. Yesterday, I returned home from the relief centre and saw that my house had completely collapsed,” she said.

Noraini, who works as a house cleaner, said for the time being, her family would be staying at her eldest sister’s house in Kampung Geting. She expressed hope that someone would come forward to help repair or rebuild her home.

Noraini’s brother, Nazri Nawi, 47, said that he too had suffered the same fate, as his house had also collapsed because of the flood.

Nazri said he, his wife, and their six children only had enough time to grab a few clothes before rushing out to safety.

He said that he had returned home the day after the incident to retrieve his car, only to discover it was damaged after being submerged in floodwaters.

Another victim, Che Kar Nik Mat, 60, who lives with his wife, five children, and seven grandchildren, said that he had lost not only his home but also a car and three motorcycles in the disaster.

“We never expected such an unprecedented flood to hit Kampung Jubakar Pantai for the first time, destroying the home where we have lived for generations.

“Although we are heartbroken and traumatised, we accept this as Allah’s will and hope that help will come our way,” he said, adding that all the villagers are now anxious about their future should another wave of extraordinary flooding occur.

During the first wave of the floods, Tumpat was the second most severely affected district after Pasir Mas, with more than eight homes destroyed by flood erosion. Several roads were also cut off, forcing the evacuation of more than 20,000 residents.

-- BERNAMA