SUNGAI PETANI: The dreams of Villagers in Sungai Layar of having a blissful Ramadan have been hampered by flash floods, courtesy of a poor drainage system which has been plaguing them for the last two years.
Yusnizan Din, 50, and wife Azlawati Ahmad, 45, from Kampung Masjid, were among the worst affected.
Yusnizan said things took a turn for the worse recently as flood waters have not receded for a whole week.
"We have become used to flash floods since last year, but this was the worst ever. It has been a week of having our house inundated with murky and smelly floodwaters.
"We can't take this anymore. We are pleading to the relevant authorities to do something about this," said Yusnizan, who is also a registered disabled person.
The situation has forced the couple to seek shelter at a community hall opposite their home.
Three other houses in the vicinity are also affected by the stagnant floodwater problem.
"It is very frustrating that we have to endure this while we are fasting," said Mustafa Basri Romali, 46, one of the affected villagers.
To ease their burden, their neighbours used a pump to clear the floodwaters but it proved to be a daunting task due to the current intermittent rainfall.
"This problem will not be resolved for as long as the ongoing drainage upgrading works are not completed.
"It is raining nowadays, pity these people. How are they supposed to have a blissful Ramadan, enjoy a peaceful iftar and perform prayers in this situation?" asked Abdul Wahab Haron, 66, who is concerned over the fate befalling his neighbours.
Meanwhile, Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) said the situation is also affecting padi growers who own 10ha of fields in Kampung Haji Din and Kampung Sungai Jagung, in Sungai Layar.
CAP president Mohideen Abdul Kader said the association was informed that the cause of the problem was because the old drains in the area do not work effectively and the newly-built drains are leading to the padi fields.
"Our checks showed that the areas were affected by dirty water from nearby residential areas. As a result, each time it rains heavily, dirty and foul water from the housing area enters the village and the padi fields here.
"This longstanding problem has led farmers and residents to suffer losses," he said.
Mohideen added that some of the affected padi fields are no longer suitable for cultivation as they are overgrown with trees and abandoned due to the threat of dirty floodwaters.
Citing an example, Mohideen said padi farmer Tajudin Ibrahim, 70, from Kampung Sungai Jagung, claimed that the padi seeds he sowed had died after being contaminated with dirty water.
"Every time dirty water overflows into the padi field, he and four other farmers near the drain in the area suffer huge losses due to the destruction of seeds and padi plants," he said in a statement.
CAP urged the Kedah government, Sungai Petani Municipal Council and other relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the problem and to take immediate action to overcome it.