The water levels at Jalan Chin Hwa in Kuala Krai, Kelantan over the course of four days, from December 25 to December 28, 2014. ― Picture courtesy of Ryonn Leong
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 29 ― For the past 20 years at least, residents in hilly Kuala Krai have led a carefree life whenever the annual northeast monsoon blew into Kelantan and turned large areas of the state the colour of the frothy, milky bever! age beloved of Malaysians called teh tarik.
Local lore has it that "if it floods in Kuala Krai, the whole of Kelantan will be underwater", Ryonn Leong, a native, told Malay Mail Online.
But the speed and fierceness that saw the waters of Sungai Kelantan burst its banks last week caught its long-time residents off-guard; there had never been a need for a flood safety plan as the water levels in the river had not risen past the danger mark in 20 years.
"I would scoff it off when any of our friends asked about the flooding in my hometown... who would have thought, one day it would become a reality?" the 34-year-old business development manager said.
While Ryonn now lives in Kuala Lumpur, the torrential rains that lashed Kelantan has been a "nightmare" as his family ― his elderly parents, his siblings and their young children ― were marooned in Kuala Krai by the floodwaters of near biblical proportions.
The water had almost covered the first floor of the Leongs' two-storey shophouse along Jalan Chin Hwa has since receded.
Residents of Kuala Pertang could not continue on their journey as flood worsens at Kampung Keroh, December 25, 2014. ― Bernama pic
A lorry is inundated with water at Jalan Jeli-Gua Musang due to the overflowing riverbanks, December 25, 2014. ― Bernama pic
Flood waters continue to rise in Taman Bukit Sirih, December 25, 2014. ― Bernama pic
Firemen transport a flood victim by boat to Hospital Jeli to get treatment, December 25, 2014. ― Bernama pic
Flood conditions worsen due to the heavy rainfall and overflowing riverbanks of the Kelantan river, December 25, 2014. ― Bernama pic
A resident of Kampung Keroh uses a water tank to save himself as flood waters continue to rise, December 25, 2014. ― Bernama pic
A resident of Taman Bukit Sirih is unableto return home as flood conditions worsen, December 25, 2014. ― Bernama pic
The water level at Jalan Tok Hakim continues to rise due to the heavy rainfall and overflowing riverbanks of the Kelantan River, December 25, 2014. ― Bernama pic
A child helps her mother collect items from their shop which were destroyed in a flood in Rantau Panjang, December 25, 2014.— Bernama pic
Flood victims at their house in Kampung Wakaf Stan in Kubang Kerian, December 25, 2014. — Bernama pic
Residents can only watch as Kuala Kangsar is inundated with water from Sungai Perak, December 25, 2014. — Bernama pic
Parts of Kelantan's state capital, Kota Baru, is submerged following floods that have forced over 90,000 people to evacuate their homes in the east coast of peninsular Malaysia, December 25, 2014. — Picture by Malay Mail Online reader
Parts of Kelantan's state capital, Kota Baru, is submerged following floods that have forced over 90,000 people to evacuate their homes in the east coast of peninsular Malaysia, December 25, 2014. — Picture by Malay Mail Online reader
A resident is seen on a boat in his village in Kuala Kangsar, Perak on December 26, 2014. — Picture by K.E. Ooi
A building is seen submerged in the river water beside Sungai Perak at Kuala Kangsar, Perak on December 26, 2014. — Picture by K.E. Ooi
Residents of village in Sayong find temporary shelter in SK Sayong in Kuala Kangsar, Perak on December 26, 2014. — Picture by K.E. Ooi
A RELA officer makes an announcement ordering villagers to evacuate the village as there will be a flood tonight in Kuala Kangsar, Perak on December 26, 2014. — Picture by K.E. Ooi
Mohd Saifuddin (right) with the help of his friend, moves things from his home in Sayong village in Kuala Kangsar, Perak on December 26, 2014. — Picture by K.E. Ooi
Parts of Kelantan's state capital, Kota Baru, is submerged following floods that have forced over 90,000 people to evacuate their homes in the east coast of peninsular Malaysia, December 26, 2014. — Picture by Malay Mail Online reader
Parts of Kelantan's state capital, Kota Bharu, is submerged following floods that have forced over 90,000 people to evacuate their homes in the east coast of peninsular Malaysia, December 26, 2014. — Picture by Malay Mail Online reader
Parts of Kelantan's state capital, Kota Baru, is submerged following floods that have forced over 90,000 people to evacuate their homes in the east coast of peninsular Malaysia, December 26, 2014. — Picture by Malay Mail Online reader
Parts of Kelantan's state capital, Kota Baru, is submerged following floods that have forced over 90,000 people to evacuate their homes in the east coast of peninsular Malaysia, December 26, 2014. — Picture by Malay Mail Online reader
Parts of Kelantan's state capital, Kota Baru, is submerged following floods that have forced over 90,000 people to evacuate their homes in the east coast of peninsular Malaysia, December 26, 2014. — Picture by Malay Mail Online reader
Army personnel preparing to drop relief food to flood victims, December 26, 2014.
Flood victims are seen at a flood relief centre in Kelantan,December 26, 2014.
Flood victims are seen at a flood relief centre in Kelantan,December 26, 2014.
Residents wading in thigh-deep flood waters in flood-hit Kelantan, Flood victims are seen at a flood relief centre in Kelantan, December 26, 2014.
Kelantan is facing one of the worst floods in decades, December 26, 2014.
Kelantan is facing one of the worst floods in decades, December 26, 2014.
Students hold on to each other as they gingerly walk in chest-high waters in Kelantan, December 26, 2014.
Students hold their bags high above their heads as the walk in chest-high waters in Kelantan, December 26, 2014.
Army personnel preparing food for flood victims, December 26, 2014.
Army personnel attend to a flood victim at a flood relief centre in Kelantan, December 26, 2014.
Army personnel airlifting food to flood victims in Kelantan, December 26, 2014.
Selangor Mentri Besar Azmin Ali makes a visit to Kelantan to see the flood situation, December 26, 2014.
Army personnel airlifting food to flood victims in Kelantan, December 26, 2014.
An aerial view of flood-hit Kelantan, December 26, 2014.
Army personnel heading out to help flood victims in Kelantan, December 26, 2014.
Flood victims in Kelantan waiting to be rescued, December 26, 2014.
The PolyTech College near Sg Kelantan is inundated by flood waters, December 27, 2014.
Flood waters continue to rise in Bandar Baru Tanah Merah in Kelantan, December 27, 2014.
A flood relief centre in Kemaman, Terengganu, December 27, 2014.
Malaysian Army personnel are seen bringing patients from Manik Urai to the Kuala Krai Hospital using the Super Lynx helicopter, December 27, 2014.
Royal Malaysian Navy personnel help to give out aid to flood evacuees in Kuala Krai, December 27, 2014.
Picture released December 28, 2014 shows a three-month old baby in an incubator being evacuated to Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM). — Picture courtesy of Health Ministry's Facebook page.
This aerial view shows houses and plantations submerged in floodwaters in Pengkalan Chepa, near Kota Baru, Kelantan on December 28, 2014. — AFP pic
Temerloh town is still submerged in water, December 29, 2014. ― Picture by Saw Siow Feng
The Fire and Rescue department set up a temporary operation centre at Jalan Temerloh Jaya, Temerloh, December 29, 2014. ― Picture by Saw Siow Feng
Temerloh residents are seen wading in flood waters, December 29, 2014. ― Picture by Saw Siow Feng
Fire and Rescue Department officers assist in distributing food items in Temerloh. ― Picture by Saw Siow Feng
Water levels in Kelantan are beginning to recede and people are coming out to go out and buy goods. ― Picture by Yusof Mat Isa
Two women are seen buying fish as water levels in Kelantan begin to recede. ― Picture by Yusof Mat Isa
Children of Kampung Galok excitedly wait for the arrival of the Fire and Rescue Department boat, December 29, 2014. ― Picture by Saw Siow Feng
Cheerful villagers of Kampung Galok seem unperturbed by the floods that have hit their village, December 29, 2014. ― Picture by Saw Siow Feng
Residents of Kampung Galok in Temerloh wave to the Fire and Rescue Department boat heading to the flood-inundated village, December 29, 2014. ― Picture by Saw Siow Feng
Children of Kampung Galok lending a helping hand by pulling the Fire and Rescue Department boat heading to the village, December 29, 2014. ― Picture by Saw Siow Feng
Residents of Kampung Galok in Temerloh come out to greet the Fire and Rescue Department boat heading to the flood-inundated village, December 29, 2014. ― Picture by Saw Siow Feng
A Fire and Rescue Department boat filled with aid and supplies heads to Kampung Kuala Kerai which is still submerged in water, December 29, 2014. ― Picture by Saw Siow Feng
Houses in Kampung Kuala Kerai in Temerloh are seen partially submerged in water, December 29, 2014. ― Picture by Saw Siow Feng
Personnel from the Fire and Rescue Department handing out aid and supplies to the villagers of Kampung Kuala Kerai in Temerloh, December 29, 2014. ― Picture by Saw Siow Feng
A villager navigates his boat in flood waters in Kampung Kuala Kerai in Temerloh, December 29, 2014. ― Picture by Saw Siow Feng
A Fire and Rescue Department personnel chats with an evacuee at the evacuation centre in Kampung Kuala Kerai in Temerloh, December 29, 2014. ― Picture by Saw Siow Feng
Flood victims currently at the evacuation centre in Kampung Kuala Kerai in Temerloh look at the aid and supplies handed out by the Fire and Rescue Department, December 29, 2014. ― Picture by Saw Siow Feng
A toddler is seen sitting calmly at the evacuation centre in Kampung Kuala Kerai in Temerloh, December 29, 2014. ― Picture by Saw Siow Feng
An aerial view of flood-stricken Kota Baru as seen from aboard a Nuri helicpoter, December 29, 2014. — Picture by Syed Jaymal Zahiid
Fire and Rescue Department personnel searched for stranded residents in Temerloh, Pahang, 29 December, 2014. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng
Temerloh Fire and Rescue Department personnel help to evacuate Temerloh residents who live near the Pahang River, 29 December, 2014. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng
Picture shows a house in Temerloh flooded by the rising water level of the Pahang River, 29 December, 2014. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng
Picture shows a mosque flooded by the rising water level of the Pahang River, 29 December, 2014. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng
Despite the waist-height level floodwater, life goes on as residents come out to wash clothes in Temerloh, Pahang, 29 December, 2014. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng
Army personnel loading food and supplies onto a helicopter on standby to deliver them to flood victims in Kelantan, December 29, 2014. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa
An aerial view of Pasir Mas in Kelantan inundated by flood water, December 29, 2014. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa
An aerial view of Pasir Mas in Kelantan inundated by flood water, December 29, 2014. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa
Army personnel surveying the flood situation in Pasir Mas, Kelantan, December 29, 2014. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa
Army personnel loading food and supplies onto a helicopter on standby to deliver them to flood victims in Kelantan, December 29, 2014. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa
Army personnel distributing food and supplies to flood victims in Pasir Mas, Kelantan, December 29, 2014. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa
Army personnel distributing food and supplies to flood victims in Pasir Mas, Kelantan, December 29, 2014. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa
People seeking shelter in a multi-storey building in Pasir Mas wait for food and supplies, December 29, 2014. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa
And after nearly four days of squeezing in with friends who live on higher ground in Taman Krai, approximately 6km from their home, Ryonn's 67-year-old father and 56-year-old mother, are getting restless pondering on the state of their business goods, he told Malay Mail Online.
Ryonn's father runs a service and distribution centre for engineering products in Kuala Krai and is helped by Ryonn's younger brother, Kelvin, 28.
"My parents are eager to return home, but it is not the same," Ryonn said, after viewing photographs of the damage to their family shophouse that Kelvin had shared with him yesterday morning.
"The entire ground floor needs to be cleaned up, but there is no electricity or running water… and it is more dangerous for them to be there as of now as this is when illnesses tend to spread," he related to Malay Mail Online.
The extend of the damage to the property and the hardware in his father's service centre has also not been accounted for yet, said Ryonn.
But now that the floodwaters have receded in the area, Ryonn is hoping to rent a four-wheeled car to enter Kuala Krai via Kuala Lipis by Tuesday to reunite with his parents, his brother, his pregnant sister-in-law and two-year-old niece and to bring them and their neighbours much-needed supplies.
"It is not safe for them there, until everything is over and until the area is given the all clear," he said, his voice tinged with worry.
But Ryonn was far from composed when first contacted by Malay Mail Online three days ago.
His hometown was completely cut off from land, he had no chance of going in to get his family of seven out.
Ryonn had also momentarily lost all communication with his brother, Kelvin, with whom he had been relying for information on their elderly parents' safety.
He had been frantic, fearing for their welfare as well as the difficulties faced by Kelvin's pregnant wife and toddler who like the tens of thousands of flood victims nationwide had been displaced and left alone in the dark for days after the power lines went down and with a fast depleting stock of food and drinking water.
"They managed to charge the phones from the cars, but the fear did not go away knowing that they could run out of fuel soon," said Ryonn.
Out of desperation, some people resorted to ransacking the abandoned homes for food though there were others, he said who took advantage of the situation by looting the houses for valuable and electronics.
"This is humanity at its best and its worst," Ryonn said.
Many were still going about with their daily routine when reports began to flood in that the level of the river at the Krai Steps was 33.58m, almost 10m above the danger mark on the eve of Christmas, News Straits Times reported.
The magnitude of the disaster was unexpected. As at 8pm yesterday, 105,876 people have been evacuated from their homes in Terengganu, Kelantan, Pahang, Perak, Johor, Perlis, Selangor, and Kedah.
Although floodwaters are gradually receding in Kuala Krai and Kota Baru, meteorologists have warned that the worst is not yet over in Kelantan, Pahang and Terengganu.
Reports continue to pour in on overcrowded shelters; intermittent communications services; shortage of food and water supply; rescue efforts hampered by power outages; and roads that have been washed away by the floods.
A total of five deaths were recorded in Kelantan, three in Pahang and two in Terengganu to date, according to data from the National Security Council published on its website.
The extent of the worst flooding in decades has been such that Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is overseeing the government's flood relief efforts, has warned that floods are worse than anticipated, saying that assets currently deployed were inadequate to face the floods of such proportions.
Source : http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/in-kuala-krai-floods-humanity-at-its-best-and-worst
