Praying Against ‘Three-in-a-row’

KUALA TERENGGANU – Last year’s major flood which hit Terengganu, especially in the Kemaman district, is one episode which many would want to forget.

It was a nightmare for many as more than 100,000 people were evacuated with losses of more than RM350mil.

Kemaman saw more than 32,000 people evacuated, the largest number of evacuees compared with seven other districts in the state. Damage to property was estimated at RM15mil.

A large part of the town was crippled, clo­sing down businesses for more than two weeks. Major roads were inundated by flood waters, cutting access to villages.

To make things worse, a bridge collapsed in Kemaman, preventing food supply reaching those affected.

In short, it was chaos. An experience which most want to forget. But it was easier said than done, as many flood victims said they were still haunted by the tragedy.

And for Kemaman folks, the tragedy, which came a year after another major flood in 2013, was almost too much to bear.

Fadillah Sulong, a 50-year-old trader from Taman Fikri, remembered how devastating last year’s flood was, but said the one in 2013 was worse.

He said the 2013 floods had “carried away” every item in his house, as flood water almost reached the roof.

“My house was almost submerged. Everything happened so fast. Nothing could be saved.

“I thought that was it. A one-time expe­rience. But it happened again last year. And whatever I had bought to replace the ones swept away by the 2013 floods were also destroyed. Water rose to a level slightly lower than that in 2013,” he told The Star.

The people of Taman Fikri, which houses some 500 families, are praying for a miracle – that this year’s monsoon season would not bring flood to their place.

Housewife Siti Mariam Awang, 55, said many who were renting in the housing estate had packed and left after the floods.

She is staying put at her house.

Asked what preparations she had made to face the coming monsoon, Siti Mariam smiled bitterly and said: “What is there to prepare? There is nothing left to be saved. The two consecutive floods had destroyed all furniture in my house. I now only have a bed, few mattresses and cooking utensils.”

Taman Fikri was one of the worst-hit areas in Kemaman. Apart from it, other areas affected were the town centre, Kampung Fikri, Kampung Batu Putih, Kampung Sebe­rang Tayor, Kampung Bukit Mentok, Kam­pung Mak Cili and Kampung Gong Pauh.

Some businesses have started moving their machines and wares to higher grounds. Others have moved their merchandise to the top floor of their shophouses in anticipation of the flood.
-thestaronline