Exhausting process: Zulkifli and his mother Junaidah placing valuables and other items on a raised beam to keep them dry during floods in Kampung Laut, Johor Baru. — THOMAS YONG/The Star
JOHOR BARU: With a sigh, trader Zulkifli Mat Ahwan said he is a “master” of sorts in dealing with floods.
“We have experienced it so many times that we have somewhat mastered the skill of going through a flood.
“It is unfortunate that we have to develop such a skill, but what choice do we have?” said Zulkifli, whose home in Kampung Laut has been flooded twice this year alone.
The most recent one happened less than a month ago after a two-hour downpour.
These days, his fellow villagers here in Skudai would always be on standby when the rain comes.
“I am prepared with several empty barrels that I would put under the bed. They would act as a buoy to protect the mattress along with other items that I place on top of them,” he said when met at his house.
The father of two also said residents would park their vehicles at a shophouse area near their village during heavy rain in case it floods.
Zulkifli, 49, who has been living in Kampung Laut his whole life, said: “Almost all of the houses here have scaffolding or something similar for people to store their essential items in case of a flood.
“We try not to buy anything expensive. We only buy things we need as we have lost too many valuable belongings already.”
He said his neighbours would get anxious each time the skies turned dark, adding that there seemed to be more frequent and continuous rain of late.
Retiree Noran Idris, 69, who has lived in Kampung Laut for over five decades, said the worst flood they experienced was in 2006 when the water level went up as high as the roof.
“Our homes are flooded at least twice a year. Usually, the water would go up to the chest level. But in 2006, it went all the way up to the roof.
“Despite our early preparations, we could not save most of our belongings.
“I lost so many valuable things. Since then, I no longer buy nice things, just enough furniture and electrical appliances to survive,” he said.
Apart from losing their belongings, the residents are also worried about thefts.
“I will not stay at the temporary shelter provided. I would instead wait near my house until the water receded.
“I need to guard my house and make sure that people do not go in to take advantage of the situation,” said Noran, adding that he would usually sleep in his car.
Another retiree, Junaidah Yusof, 69, lamented the back-breaking job of cleaning the house in the aftermath of a flood.
“The water is muddy, making it very difficult for us to clean the place. It takes days to completely clean the house after waiting for the water to recede.
“With the rainy season coming, I am very worried as I know that we could be facing another flood soon. We just have to be prepared,” she said.
