ALOR STAR: Flood victims in Kampung Bohor near Titi Gajah here are bracing for a second wave of floods, taking precautions despite reassurances that the forecasted monsoon surge is unlikely to be as severe.
The residents remain hesitant to return to their homes, choosing instead to continue clean-up efforts while keeping a close watch on the situation. Many have endured repeated flooding, with four incidents recorded since September.
Locals claimed the perennial issue arose from incomplete flood mitigation projects which started 10 years ago.
Aisyah Ahmad, 53, a widowed housewife, said floodwaters up to two metres high had inundated her home, forcing her to move temporarily to her daughter's house in Sungai Petani.
"Ever since they started the flood mitigation project along Sungai Kedah, flooding has worsened for my house. I had to redesign my house with elevated floors to protect my electrical appliances and furniture," said Aisyah.
She said the recent floods were so severe that she was forced to throw away furniture and appliances.
"The damage since September totalled RM40,000, with the latest flood alone causing RM20,000 in losses," she said.
Aisyah, who lives with her 27-year-old son following her husband's demise earlier this year, said cleaning up had cost her another RM5,000 over the past three months.
"Friends and neighbours have helped, but the most recent flood was so devastating. Many of my belongings were swept away by the current," she said, adding that the costs were managed through her savings and her children's support.
She expressed concern over the growing financial burden the recurring floods have placed on her family.
Meanwhile, retired civil servant Zakaria Hassan, 67, said the floods forced him and his wife, Che Amah Hussain, 64, to move to their other house in Felda Bukit Tembaga in Padang Terap.
He said the floods left devastating damage amounting to RM10,000 and things could have been worse if the flood mitigation project had not started.
However, he acknowledged concern that the project had caused some areas in the village to be more severely affected than before.
"This flood mitigation project channels floodwaters to the coastal regions and into the sea quickly, which helps reduce the impact on some houses, including ours.
"However, when it overflows, certain houses nearby get completely submerged. My house has been spared, with waters rising to about a metre deep," he added.
Zakaria urged the government to expedite the completion of flood mitigation works.
"It's good that they're doing that (flood mitigation project) but since it's not completed yet, some areas remain vulnerable to floods or have worsened.
Residents would greatly appreciate if the authorities could speed this up," he added.
Seven districts, namely Padang Terap, Sik, Kubang Pasu, Pokok Sena, Kota Setar, Baling, and Kuala Muda, were devastated by the recent floods following continuous heavy rainfall.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said that based on data from the Disaster Operations Control Centre, 11,046 people from 3,575 households were evacuated to temporary flood relief centres across the affected districts during the recent floods.
Yesterday, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) director-general Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip advised the public to remain calm and not to panic over the impending second wave of floods.
