KUBANG PASU: The nightmare of severe floods in 2010 came back to haunt Hamidah Ahmad, 61, when her family home in Kampung Budi, Jitra was submerged by knee-deep floodwaters last Monday.
Although the floods this time were not as massive as 14 years back, her family had to spend a week at a temporary flood relief centre in SK Padang Pekan before they were allowed to return home today.
"Alhamdulillah, we are finally home after spending a week at the relief centre. This flood wasn't as severe as the one in 2010, but it lasted longer.
"In 2010, the flood was intense, but after three days we could return home. This time it took longer. Only today could we come back and assess the damage," said the retired civil servant as the family began the daunting task of cleaning up.
She estimated the family's losses at about RM3,000. Hamidah's family was one of over 8,400 people in seven Kedah districts who were forced to seek shelter at more than 40 temporary relief centres since the floods struck last week.
Kubang Pasu was one of the worst affected districts, alongside Kota Setar, Pokok Sena and Pendang.
Despite the sheer relief of being able to return home, Hamidah, her husband and their three children are worried about the risk of a second wave of flooding with the arrival of the southwest monsoon transition.
"If anything happens, we'll rush to the nearby surau, as it wasn't flooded," she said while looking up at dark clouds shrouding the skyline.
Padi farmers were among the worst hit.
Nazri Din, 55, from Teluk Malik, also in Jitra, estimated losses of over RM13,000 after his three-hectare crop was submerged by floodwaters.
"I came back hoping some of my crop that was ready for harvesting would be spared. However, everything was submerged and ruined. My estimated financial loss doesn't include the damage to my house, which I reckon will cost another RM3,000," said Nazri.
Seasoned padi farmer, Mohd Saad Mohd Daud, 83, was devastated upon seeing his four-hectare crop wiped out by the floods.
"Together with the padi fields toiled by my son, Mohd Zahir, 38, we estimate our total losses to the tune of RM20,000," he said in despair.
Saad added that he also had to fork out RM3,000 to repair his house damaged by the floodwaters and a fallen tree branch.