Bus stranded in Pahang flood, traveller recalls help from villagers

 

The third time was not so lucky for an express bus as it was travelling from Kota Bharu to Kuala Lumpur - it was left stranded for over a day after it got caught in floodwaters as it passed Raub, Pahang.

Speaking to Malaysiakini, Farys Nordin, 26, recalled how the double-decker bus had twice navigated rising waters but failed on its third attempt - in the middle of the night - and forced its passengers to seek shelter at a nearby mosque.

From the safety of higher grounds, Farys said they had little choice but to watch helplessly as the waters covered half the bus, with all their belongings trapped in the luggage compartment.

He said there were many others at the Jeram Besu mosque who also sought refuge from the torrential rain that was sweeping across most parts of the east coast.

"Electricity at the mosque went out. There were only candles lit.

"There was still water supply," Farys said, adding that he arrived at slightly past midnight after being rescued by firefighters on duty around the mosque.

He said the limited supplies they had were shared with other stranded travellers, adding that throughout his stay, he was greatly helped by local villagers who sent them food.

"There were keropok lekor, fruits, nasi lemak, and white rice with sardines," he said, recounting their simple yet tasty meals while waiting at the mosque.

Farys said he was heartened by the people's bountiful generosity to help others in need.

"When they prepared food for us, we were touched. They made us all that they could, and we were grateful.

"I initially woke up in a panic, but then I calmed down. I had a fleeting thought: isn't anyone going to give us food, like maybe would an army helicopter appear to send rations," he said.

"But not long after that, food came from the villagers.

"They also gave us carbonated drinks. We ate whatever they gave us," he said.

Farys said his rainy journey started on Jan 3 (Sunday) when the bus departed from Kota Bharu heading to Kuala Lumpur at around 2pm.

Together with a friend, he said they had gone to attend another friend's wedding in Kota Bharu.

He recounted the harrowing experience: "When the bus entered the water, I saw a nearby hut that looked like it was about to be submerged.

"I was thinking, is it for real this bus will attempt to go through? Suddenly the bus shook, like it was about to float, wavering to the left and right," he said.

"Then, the engine died. Everyone was scared. Those who were sleeping woke up.

"The driver tried and failed to turn on the engine. After that, the lights flickered, the air-conditioner turned on and off, and the entire bus went dark," he said, adding that the passengers were lucky to be nearby the mosque.

Fire and Rescue Department personnel on duty around the mosque were quick to rescue the passengers, said Farys, guiding them through the vehicle's emergency exit and onto inflatable boats.

At the mosque, he said he discovered travellers who had been there since much earlier in the day.

There was barely any phone signal but Farys said he eventually managed to contact his family via a WhatsApp call before finding a place to sleep on the mosque's open terrace, with only a sweater and a sarong as his blanket.

The next morning, he said they woke up to discover the water supply and internet connection were totally cut off. It was many hours later at around 4pm that the water level finally receded and they were able to collect their soaked belongings from the bus.

In that time, a replacement bus from Kota Bharu, intended to save the stranded travellers, also ended up stranded in Kuala Lipis. Finally, a third bus from Kuala Lumpur arrived. However, it had to stop several kilometres away from the mosque to avoid floodwaters.

Now they had to leave the mosque, bid farewell to the kind villagers, and try to reach their new bus. Before being on their way, he said a villager, known as Makcik Melor, generously offered to cook them food for their journey, with several passengers helping out with the cooking.

Once again, the kind-hearted villagers offered help. Farys said they used Hilux pickup trucks to transport their belongings, while the travellers were taken in another lorry, and then onto a boat.

They managed to reach the bus, and he said their journey resumed at around 8pm on Jan 4 (Monday). At long last, after a three-hour journey, they arrived at Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) in Kuala Lumpur.

Farys recounted that all along the journey, he had to wear a sarong as his pants were torn. He recounted his entire experience in a Twitter thread that has so far been shared over 16,000 times.

Through the series of tweets, he shared his thoughts, as well as videos and photographs of people who remained smiling even when faced with adversity.

"When things are tough, don't panic, smile. Be positive, think, work hard, and pray hard.

"We can't live alone. We always need others. Do good to others and always be grateful," he said. - Mkini