BESUT: Cleaning efforts at a flood victim's house in Kampung Awek, Darau, took an unexpected turn yesterday when a cobra fell from a rice storage container beneath a table.
Fadzil Zabidee Zakaria, 51, a volunteer from the NGO Betis Karat, said that the incident occurred at 11am while the team was cleaning the kitchen of a flood-affected home.
"As one of our volunteers used a water jet to remove mud, the snake suddenly dropped onto the floor. Prior to that, we hadn't noticed it hidden inside the rice container under the table," he told Buletin TV3.
Fadzil said that the snake might have made a noise when disturbed, but it was drowned out by the loud sound of the water jet.
"Thankfully, the volunteer who spotted the snake remained calm and is experienced in handling venomous snakes. He used a stick and rope to safely restrain the 1.8-metre-long cobra before removing it from the house," he added.
The team had started their cleanup efforts on Monday, assisting residents in flood-affected areas including Kampung Awek Darau, Felda Tenang, Kampung Darau, Kampung Jerebun, and Kampung Darau, with 12 volunteers in total.
Fadzil also said that during the flood season, his team had been cooking meals for flood victims at temporary relief centres (PPS).
"On Friday, we, along with other groups, will be working to rebuild a bridge in Kampung Keruak, Hulu Besut, which was damaged by strong river currents during the floods," he said.