Preparing for the monsoon flood is almost like a ritual for the people of Kelantan.
So much so, that many of its residents have built their houses on stilts to keep lives and belongings safe during the flood.
Many today also own wooden or fiberglass boats, which they keep under the house during non-flood seasons.
Those who have lived in Kelantan all their lives can almost "read" the pattern of rainfall and predict exactly when floods would occur.
'Sleeping in a boat'
Despite decades of experience, Deraman Awang Kecik, 80, from Kampung Bukit Awang, Pasir Puteh still find bracing the monsoon floods a harrowing experience.
He had once even slept in his boat after his house was flooded.
"I could hardly sleep a wink, but I did not want to move to a relief centre because I was afraid of my belongings being stolen while I was away," he told Bernama, adding that many in his village shared the same fear.
Some would even stay in their flooded homes until the water had risen to a dangerous level.
Deraman said the floods usually lasted a week, during which their sources of income would also be affected.
Because of that, many would stock up on food supplies and other necessities before the monsoon season, which typically starts in October and ends around March the following year.
'Getting prepared'
Abdul Salam Ahmad, 77, decided four years ago to buy a fiberglass boat so that he would not have to depend on others for his needs during the flood season.
"During the flood season, we use it to go out and get basic needs like rice and biscuits from areas that are not hit by flood. We also use it to get to the surau or mosque," he said.
He bought the six-seater boat for RM1,250. Abdul Salam lives in Kampung Pasar Lama, Pasir Tumboh, an area prone to flooding due to the overflowing of the Pengkalan Datu River during the monsoon season.
Zaharah Mamat, 60, has come to see the monsoon flood as an annual occurrence but was still hoping that each one was less severe and quicker to subside than the last.
"The water level can sometimes reach up to eight feet (2.4 metres) and even at its lowest, it is still about five feet (1.5 metres). This is why we have to build our houses on stilts, so that we don’t have to go through the trouble of moving our belongings elsewhere," she said.
The National Security Council of Kelantan reported that over 4,000 people were forced to relocate to relief centres during the flood in the state, last year. - Nor Asira Ab Ghani and Sulizawati Ali
Bernama
Mon Nov 17 2014
Preparing for the monsoon flood is almost like a ritual for the people of Kelantan. - File Photo
Menteri Kewangan Malaysia dan Indonesia bincang kewangan Islam, industri halal di Washington
Pertemuan di Washington diadakan ketika mereka mengetuai delegasi negara masing-masing ke Mesyuarat Tabung Kewangan Antarabangsa (IMF) dan Kumpulan Bank Dunia 2024.
Peruntukan bersyarat kepada wakil rakyat pembangkang - Nga Kor Ming
Peruntukan yang bakal disalurkan kepada wakil rakyat pembangkang adalah tertakluk kepada terma dan syarat.
Surat batal PJD Link Expressway diserahkan dalam masa terdekat - Nanta
Satu surat rasmi akan diberikan dalam masa terdekat kepada pemaju berhubung pembatalan projek pembinaan Lebuhraya Petaling Jaya Dispersal Link (PJD Link Expressway).
SKMM sita telefon bimbit milik Chegubard, Salim Iskandar dan Papagomo
Setelah selesai siasatan, kertas siasatan akan diserahkan kepada Jabatan Peguam Negara untuk arahan lanjut.
Pantau Agenda Reformasi: Awas! Pihak main sentimen rakyat, ancam keharmonian
Apa pendekatan yang boleh dilakukan untuk membendung tindakan pihak-pihak yang memainkan sentimen perkauman dan keagamaan yang mengancam keharmonian negara?
Prof. Madya Dr. Mazlan Ali, Pensyarah Pusat Perdana, Fakulti Teknologi & Informatik Razak, UTM
Prof. Madya Dr. Mazlan Ali, Pensyarah Pusat Perdana, Fakulti Teknologi & Informatik Razak, UTM
Nombor plat eksklusif UUM bukan hanya untuk warga universiti
Nombor plat eksklusif UUM bukan khusus dijual kepada warga universiti tetapi boleh dimiliki oleh orang awam atau syarikat yang berminat dengan plat tersebut.
Tun Musa individu teguh prinsip, integriti - PM Anwar
Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim menyifatkan bekas Timbalan Perdana Menteri Tun Musa Hitam sebagai sosok yang teguh dengan prinsip dan integriti.
Gunung Ruang meletus: Beberapa penerbangan AirAsia kembali beroperasi
AirAsia turut menyediakan pilihan kepada penumpang yang terjejas akibat penerbangan yang terpaksa dibatalkan.
Trip.com raih pertumbuhan tidak dijangka bagi tempahan perjalanan
Pulau Pinang dan Kota Kinabalu mengalami pertumbuhan ketara, dengan jumlah tempahan meningkat, masing-masing sebanyak 62 peratus dan 89 peratus tahun ke tahun.
MIDF Research kekal pandangan positif
Menurut Pusat Maklumat Harta Tanah Negara, HPI Malaysia telah berada pada trajektori menaik sejak 2022, berikutan pembukaan semula ekonomi.
Harudis Busan, hero tragedi bot karam
Harudis Busan, 41, menjadi penyelamat pertama tiba di tempat kejadian bersama dua adiknya.