KUALA KRAI: Over 50 residents of Kampung Sungai Taku here are forced to risk their lives crossing a narrow makeshift bridge after the main village bridge has remained submerged in floodwaters for over a month.
Checks revealed that the residents resorted to this despite being aware of the dangers, as it is the only route connecting the village to nearby areas and Kuala Krai town.
Mawardi Zulkifli, 34, said the concrete bridge has been impassable since early November due to over five metres of floodwaters overflowing from Sungai Taku.
"The unpredictable weather and heavy rains have kept the Kampung Sungai Taku bridge submerged. As a temporary measure, we decided to work together to build a makeshift bridge using coconut tree trunks spanning 20.12 metres, along with planks and cable wires as handrails," he said when met at Kampung Sungai Taku.
He added that the initiative was taken to ease movement, especially for parents sending their children to school, with residents leaving their motorcycles on the opposite riverbank.
"Some residents prefer rowing a boat across the river as they are afraid of using the narrow bridge. We earnestly hope the authorities will be more attentive to the struggles of rural communities like ours and not cite budget constraints as an excuse. We need the 40-year-old concrete bridge, which floods every monsoon season, to be upgraded so residents can resume their daily lives without hassle," he said.
Meanwhile, another resident, Mujid Che Hassan, 49, said that the makeshift bridge, built over a month ago, has also been submerged during floods, cutting off access to the village for days.
"Our village is located at the farthest point, with only a handful of houses, which may be why it often goes unnoticed," he said.
He added that during their time of need, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) recently distributed aid to nearby villages, including Kampung Sungai Taku.
"During their visit, they sympathised with our plight and the dangers of using the makeshift bridge. To ensure the safety of residents, especially children, the NGO has pledged to help construct a safer temporary bridge while awaiting funds to upgrade the submerged concrete structure," he said.