Marooned Kelantan villagers forced to drink floodwaters

 

Flood victims in Rantau Panjang, Kelantan were forced to drink floodwaters after being stranded without access to potable water.

Some 62 people sheltering in a home in Kampung Tasek Bakong said they have not had access to clean water for two days, Berita Harian reported.

Without other options, they resorted to boiling floodwaters to drink, cook and prepare milk formula for young children.

"We used this water to cook meals for everyone here. We hope the authorities can help send clean water to us.

"We know our area is hard to access so we decided to do what we can and hope that this will not bring us harm," resident Muzipah Che Muda, 54, told the daily.

She said the villagers are sheltering in that home because floodwaters did not yet enter the home, although the water in the compound is 0.5m deep.

Ingesting floodwaters can cause diseases like cholera, which could lead to severe diarrhea, dehydration and death.

Meanwhile, Mohd Yatin Mat Yaakob, 46, said some of the men have resorted to sleeping in their vehicles, as there is no more space in the house.

"We chose not to move to the evacuation centre because it is too packed there. This is the only home in the village not inundated.

"Some of the victims have chosen to stay on their roofs, but we are grateful that at least we have shelter," he said.

The villagers also have access to a generator to charge their mobile phones, since the electricity supply has been shut down for safety reasons.

Sundry shops still operating in the floods

Meanwhile, in Kampung Lumpur, Pasir Mas, sundry shop owner Muhamad Syabudin, 45, has kept his doors open even though his own home is under 1m of water.

He said he continues to operate his shop so residents can access food if they need it.

He has moved his stock to higher parts of the shop, as water has also entered the premises, he told Bernama.

In Kampung Pohon Tanjung, 10km away, Salmizan Yusof, too, is still trading.

"At the moment, we are still operating as usual from 8am, and at regular prices.

"Luckily, not many items were damaged in the flood, the water has reached our knees but we managed to move most goods to safety," she said.

Stranded without food or water

Previously Malaysiakini reported family and friends of flood victims had resorted to asking for help on social media for their loved ones who are stranded without food or water, amid flooding in Kelantan and Terengganu.

More than 65,000 people have been evacuated to 310 relief centres in those states as floods worsen.

The Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a warning of continuous rain in Terengganu, Pahang, Johor and Kelantan until tomorrow.

Severe rain is predicted in Hulu Terengganu, Marang, Dungun and Kemaman in Terengganu, Kuantan, Pekan and Rompin in Pahang and Kluang, Mersing, Kulai, Kota Tinggi and Johor Bahru in Johor.

Continuous rain is also predicted in the whole of Kelantan, most of Terengganu, Jerantut and Maran in Pahang and Segamat, Batu Pahat and Pontian in Johor.

In Sarawak, rain is expected in Kuching, Serian, Samarahan, Sri Aman, Betong, Sarikei, Sibu, Mukah, Miri and Limbang from Friday to Saturday.

Continuous rain is expected in Sipitang, Kuala Penyu, Beaufort, Sandakan and Kudat in Sabah, and in Labuan from Friday to Monday. - Mkini