SETIU: Four months ago, 42-year-old Azhar Muhamad Fakiri Azli Sapie began a new venture in breeding and selling livestock to make a living.
However, the northeast monsoon, which has been wreaking havoc by unleashing floods in the east coast states, has put a stop to his venture, after 40 of his ducks and chickens were swept away by the floods in Kampung Permaisuri here.
Azhar believed that his livestock was swept away between 3am and 7am today, after the water level at the nearby river overflowed following continuous heavy rain.
"I woke up at 3am to check the area around the house, and at that time, the water level was still low.
"To my surprise, the river had already overflowed, and this morning. I was shocked to see the area around the house flooded with over a metre of water.
"I quickly went to the back of the house to save the chickens and ducks. However, I was shocked to find that only a few ducks were left, while the others had all been swept away along with the coop," he said.
Azhar said he ventured into duck chicken farming four months ago with an initial investment of RM1,000.
"All 40 ducks already had buyers, and the chickens were just starting to lay eggs and now this happens.
"But I accept what has happened and consider it a challenge and part of the business experience," he said.
Azhar also said that the flood in the village this time was similar to the one that occurred two years ago.
All flood victims in the village have been placed in the temporary evacuation center (PPS) at SK Banggol.