ALOR STAR: A sense of joy swept through the banks of Sungai Anak Bukit as villagers came together to catch an unexpected bounty of freshwater fish, surfacing as the floodwaters receded today.
Villagers from Kampung Alor Senjaya and Kampung Alor Ganu wasted no time, using boats and nets to gather fish that had risen to the surface along the riverbank.
Schools of lampam, baung, jelawat, tilapia, kaloi, and freshwater prawns shimmered in the water, offering a wave of optimism to the flood-hit community.
Azizan Ariffin, 52, said he noticed the fish surfacing around 7am when he visited the river to check the water levels after a week of flooding in the state.
Azizan, who has been staying at a temporary relief centre after his house was flooded last Monday, said he was excited to see a large number of fish appearing.
"Fish began to surface after seawater entered the river during the high tide and strong currents.
"I quickly told my friends, and we gathered with basins, sacks, and nets, mostly for the fun of it.
"The largest fish we caught was a 5kg Jelawat," he shared with a smile when met today.
Mohd Najmuddin Md Noor, 35, said the majority of the fish caught were lampam, baung, and freshwater prawns.
"People from the village managed to gather around 50kg of various fish species.
"This tends to happen whenever we experience major floods," said Najmuddin, who was also affected by the flooding.
Mohd Anuar Zainol, 53, said this flood reminded him of a major flood in 2010, though this year's was less severe.
"These fish only stay on the surface for a short time because of the mix of fresh and saltwater," added Mohd Anuar, who is also a flood victim.