Monsoon aid brings relief to 3,000 residents in Tumpat

TUMPAT: Food and essential supplies distributed ahead of the northeast monsoon have brought relief to more than 3,000 residents in 12 villages.

Some villagers, meanwhile, have begun buying and stockpiling dry food to prepare for the monsoon season rather than relying solely on aid.

Teluk Renjuna villager Mohd Faiza Ibrahim, 46, said most residents tended to stay home during the monsoon as persistent rain and rising river levels made it difficult to travel.

"Conditions become more difficult when strong winds raise fears of falling trees, as our village is along the Kelantan River delta, which is lined with coconut trees.

"Boats are the main mode of transport for residents. If the roads remain safe, we can still travel by motorcycle. However, when floodwaters reach the village, residents have to stay at home.

"We are grateful that assistance is provided every year," he said.

Faiza was speaking during a distribution of supplies by the Social Welfare Department at the forward base in Kampung Teluk Renjuna yesterday.

The aid, comprising rice, cooking oil, sardines, sugar and tea, was transported in six boats along a 10km stretch of the Kelantan River, from the Padang Kemahkotaan jetty to the Kampung Teluk Renjuna jetty.

Grocery shop owner Mohd Husin Mohammad, 54, said he had also increased stocks at his premises ahead of the monsoon.

He said petrol was among the essential supplies needed by residents, as boats were their main mode of transport, and he had to ensure his shop maintained an adequate fuel supply.

"Even during the monsoon season and rainy weather, I have to ensure my shop has sufficient supplies. If I need to replenish stocks, I have no problem navigating my boat to the mainland to make purchases, as I am used to it.

"My other preparation is to move goods in the shop to higher ground, as floodwaters overflow onto the land and enter the premises whenever flooding occurs," he said.

Tumpat, in northern Kelantan, is home to numerous small river islands along the Kelantan River delta, where communities are vulnerable to flooding during the annual northeast monsoon.