Flood: Weary victims in Kelantan urge govt to improve drainage systems
in Residensi PR1MA Lubok Jong, Pasir Mas, Kelantan.
Credit photos: Kasmah Salleh
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Wan Mohammad Fakri Mohd Yusoff, 31, opined that the government needs to conduct a comprehensive study to review in detail the causes and effects of the flood and how to manage it better.
"The government needs to do something out of the box because every year we face this situation. "We (residents) now fear for our lives and belongings, which are constantly damaged," he told Sinar Daily.
Areas in Lubok Jong and Rantau Panjang are surrounded by rivers and lakes, which are at risk of flooding every year with the constant rainfall.
He also stated that houses in this area were the only ones owned by B40 groups in Kelantan because houses in other areas were prohibitively expensive.
"The majority of residents in this area do not own any land to build their own houses," he added.
Echoing Fakri’s view, flood victim Susanti Asril Ramli, 50, agreed that the government needs to fix the drainage systems.
"I cannot leave this house because it is my only house, so I hope the government will fix the drainage systems near the Lubok Jong bridge because it is the only thing that is causing the floods here," she added.
She added that there were many damages and losses to people's properties that needed to be addressed.
"Want it or not, agree to disagree, accept or not, we have to face the risk of this loss, so I hope the government could contribute funds to everyone who was affected by the flood," she added.
Another victim Mohd Rosli Ismail, 45, also urged the government to provide cash assistance to those affected, especially to small entrepreneurs like him.
"I have suffered losses amounting to RM50,000 due to the floods this year," said the owner of Hop In Mart, a minimarket located in the neighbourhood of Residensi PR1MA Lubok Jong.
Meanwhile, Kasmah Salleh, 48, said this was the second time she was affected by the flood.
"This is not the first time, but frankly, I'm getting tired of it. "This is hard for anyone, especially those in the B40 group," the housewife said.
She also urged the government to provide basic necessities and equipment to the flood relief shelters (PPS).
"Currently, I’m staying at PPS Lati in Pasir Mas, but unfortunately, there’s not so much basic equipment and necessities here, and I wish that the authorities would give us basic needs like blankets and pillows," she added.
In Kelantan, the State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) Secretariat said that the number of flood victims has dropped to 30,115 this morning, from 30,551 people last night.
These evacuees are housed at 119 PPS in nine districts, namely Pasir Mas, Tanah Merah, Kuala Krai, Pasir Puteh, Jeli, Kota Bharu, Bachok, Tumpat and Machang.
