TRADERs and residents in flood-prone areas of Kelantan are ramping up early preparations ahead of the northeast monsoon, scaling back stock and readying boats to minimise potential losses.
Traders in Rantau Panjang town have adopted a more cautious approach by reducing their stock to minimise losses when heavy rains wreak havoc.
Rantau Panjang clothes seller Azila Zanuddin, 45, said most traders in the area were avoiding large purchases of new stock.
“We are selling our existing stock first. It has become necessary as the monsoon season approaches,” she told Bernama.
“We’re also storing merchandise on higher ground to prevent damage and loss,” Azila added.
Another trader, Muhammad Shahmir Amzar Azmi, who sells footwear, said he had moved his merchandise to a specially built loft at his shop to prevent damage.
“These preparations are necessary every year; we do not want to take any chances in the event of sudden flooding,” said the 25-year-old.
“Goods which are easily damaged and those of high value will be moved to higher locations first, while other items are arranged so that they can be easily relocated if the situation worsens.”
Muhammad Shahmir added that his business equipment and important documents were also being kept in a safe place.
A Bernama check found that most traders in the town have started making early preparations for the northeast monsoon.
Meanwhile, residents in several flood-prone villages around Rantau Panjang like Kampung Gual Periok, Kampung Padang Licin and Kampung Tok Deh are making early preparations and having fibreglass boats on standby.
Resident Shukri Che Mat, 60, said the boats would be used to relocate residents when floodwaters hit.
“The water usually rises to chest level in this village as it is located just metres away from Sungai Golok.
“Water levels typically rise after two or three hours of continuous rain.
“Therefore, to avoid a chaotic situation, we make early preparations by moving essential items to higher places,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Malaysia Civil Defence Force (APM) have built four watchtowers at key beaches in the state, with the aim of reducing drowning incidents.
Kelantan APM acting director Lt Col (CD) Mohd Farid Ishak said they were located at Pantai Geting in Tumpat, Pantai Cahaya Bulan in Kota Baru, Pantai Irama in Bachok and Pantai Bisikan Bayu in Pasir Puteh.
He said the placement of watchtowers and beach rescue teams at high-traffic locations would enable better monitoring.
“There have been near-drowning and drowning incidents near these shores in recent years.
“With the presence of beach rescue teams and watchtowers at high-risk locations, we can reduce such risks,” Mohd Farid said when announcing the initiative earlier this year.
“Swift action is crucial as drowning victims can disappear within five minutes if immediate assistance is not provided,” he said.
However, he advised the public against jumping into the water to help victims as they would put themselves in danger.
He suggested finding a long pole or object in trying to aid the victim in the water while waiting for a rescue team to arrive.
Mohd Farid said APM received emergency calls related to drowning incidents almost every month, including at the rapids in Gua Musang and Kuala Krai.
He said most recreational spots popular with visitors in each district had been identified as hotspots and were continuously monitored.
As such, he reminded the public not to swim or play in the water at seas or rivers during the monsoon season due to dangerous waves and currents.
He also advised the public to immediately seek shelter during a thunderstorm, but not under trees or near utility poles.
He said people should seek shelter in nearby buildings or remain inside their vehicles until conditions were safe.
