Rantau Panjang residents on alert as Sungai Golok surpasses danger level

PASIR MAS - Rantau Panjang residents, especially those living near Sungai Golok are beginning to take precautionary steps after the water level at the river rose above its dangerous level following three days of heavy rain.

Food stall owner, Syed Abu Bakar Syed Daud, 62, said that even though he is used to dealing with such natural disasters for decades, he is still worried in the event of unexpected flooding.

"I have been making preparations by putting my stuff on specially built shelves to cope with the flood every year.

"Normally, we would not be able to trade for a week if it rains in Rantau Panjang town because water from Sungai Golok would overflow its banks and flood the town area to the waist-level of adults,” he said when met by Bernama today.

According to the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) Infobanjir website, the water level at Sungai Golok breached the danger level when it recorded a reading of 9.34 metres as of 12.30 pm today.

Syed Abu Bakar said he has been trading in the town since 20 years ago and the area would be flooded after three days of continuous heavy rain.

"It is raining heavily now but it is only a quick downpour but will continue to monitor the situation because Sungai Golok does not split its flow into Thailand and Rantau Panjang anymore and water is flowing more into the town ever since Thailand built an embankment along the length of the river.

Meanwhile, a survey of the situation at Kampung Tersang which was badly affected by the flood last month, found the water from the river was flowing into the homes of residents.

Marie Suriani Abdullah, 43, said residents were just returning to their homes last week after being evacuated to temporary evacuation centres (PPS).

"Now, we must be on the alert again to move to the PPS again in case it rains again.

"Each time the monsoon season arrives, we will have to move to a PPS three or four times,” she said.

Another resident, Rosmandi Che Wil, 49, said residents will get restless when December arrives since their homes are located just 20 metres from Sungai Golok.

"If it rains heavily in two or three days we will need to pack our things and move.

"Facing the flood annually has prepared us to be more ready. In fact, we have been ready as early as November. Even our boats are on standby,” he added. - BERNAMA