Flash Flood in Kay Bee

Salam..

It was calm and cool last night until heavy rain and strong wind creates havoc at around midnight. The gush of wind creates a eerie howling sound when it passes through the cavities of the vent on the roof. In the morning, the drain swelled and overflowed. The low lying byroad leading to the main road is submerged by about 1 foot. Poor drainage does not seem to remove the excess as soon enough as the in-flowing from the nearby grassy plain.

Some cars stalled midway. Most people stayed at home, either delaying going to work or calling it a day already. Children, oblivious of the lurking dangers, played nonchalantly at the edges of the slow receding flood, under the gaze of the adults. An improper dumping ground by the side of the road is already a playing ground for our enemy rodent. Haven't people heard of Leptospirosis or locally known as penyakit kencing tikus? People do not believe on waht they could not see.

Here is the clipping of what had happened in the state today.

KOTA BARU: Thunderstorms over Kelantan lasting hours yesterday caused flash floods in a few low-lying areas here and in Tumpat.

The affected areas here included Kampung Guchil Bayam, Jalan Lundang and Kampung Baung while in Tumpat, the flash flood hit Wakaf Baru and Pasir Pekan.

Villagers complained that the situation had been aggravated by the poor drainage systems, especially in Kampung Guchil Bayam and Wakaf Baru.

Some of the affected villagers also claimed that there was no proper drainage system being built in their areas.

Villager Rogayah Abdul said flash floods hit her area because of clogged drains which prevented excess water from flowing out into the main drainage system.

“There is a lot of rubbish in the drains. It has been there for the past few months as the local authority has done nothing to clear out the rubbish,” claimed the 40-year-old from Kampung Guchil.

Housewife Halimah Mamat, 44, from Wakaf Baru said the flash floods caused her house to be submerged under 200cm of water yesterday.

“Water flowed to all corners of my house including the kitchen and room. This happened because there are no drains around my home,” she said.

The state Security Committee has dismissed the possibility that the heavy rains were a sign of a second wave of floods in the state, saying however that the monsoon season had not ended yet.

“Since August, we have been making all the necessary preparations to face any eventuality of flood. Therefore, we are ready from now on especially after weather forecasters issued the yellow warning,” he said.

Meanwhile, water levels at all eight flood assessment points in the state were recorded to be below the warning level yesterday.

The Meteorological Services Department had recently issued a yellow stage alert that there would be heavy rain and thunderstorms in Kelantan and Terengganu and expected the rain to last until tomorrow and this may result in flash floods in low-lying areas and along river banks.

It is still a long way to go in this monsoon season. Worrying enough, the sudden heavy pour followed by a lapse of clear sky days is adequate to give chance for the aedes and albopictus to breed in available standing water. Surely, we do not want to see this as a precipitant to another round of dengue outbreak in this state. Especially Kota Bharu. Behind the curtain, the health officers have worked hard enough to the brim to effect dengue control meassure. On top of that, the flood command centre is on stand by, adding extra work.

The below is taken off the Malaysian Meteorological Department.

HEAVY RAIN/THUNDERSTORMS ADVISORY (YELLOW STAGE) Issued at : 10.10 am 24/11/2010

SECTION A Intermittent rain occasionally moderate is expected to occur over Kelantan (Tumpat, Kota Bharu, Bachok, Pasir Mas, Pasir Puteh, Machang, Tanah Merah, Jeli and Kuala Krai Districts) and Terengganu (Setiu, Kuala Terengganu, Hulu Terengganu and Marang Districts) starting on Sunday morning 28 November 2010 until Tuesday night, 30 November 2010

This condition may result in flash floods over low-lying areas and along river bank

We just have to be prepared at all times.

8 vs 11+1

Salam..I must still congratulate the Malaysian football team. Although we lost, but it seems that the lost was a one sided affair to start of with.

Malaysia was up against China today for the final match in the group. Malaysia lost 3-0 to the homesters. If the 3-0 loss came with great sportmanship and spirit of the Asian Games, we can still accept it. The lost was seen to be with the extra help from the Aussie ref, Ben Williams. All in all, there were 7 yellow cards and 3 red cards lashed out, all to the Malaysians!

The standard of refereeing is totally in question. The first red card to Mahali was the beginning of the end of such poor standards of refereeing. Mahali kicked the ball out as the ball boy was around to pass another fresh ball in. It was not done in the name of protest! At least that was how it was seen from the angle viewed on TV.

Then, the second blow came. The second red card to Malaysian captain, Safiq, moments after the first was given out was really absurd. There was nothing harmful done that could risk any injury to the ref. He was just letting out some steam like any person would if unjustly treated, probably saying a few obscenities. Isn't that common in any leagues or even Aussie's own league? 2 simultaneous reds in a span of 5 minutes for reasons not justified.

The Malaysian side showed good fighting spirit, marching on even with 2 bullets in the legs left them bleeding. The remaining 9 fended off the attacks by the Chinese well till the end of the first half.

The 3rd red card was really another travesty. Kunalan was sent off for a dangerous challenge on the Chinese player? It looks more like the Chinese player hooked-pulled the neck of Kunalan till he fell in the Malaysian penalty box. Great acting by the Chinese that really earned them not the Grammy's, but an undeserving penalty.

In many instances, obviously, the advantage was not given to the Malaysian when the Chinese committed a foul.

As a team that have made appearance in the World Cup Finals, beating a dilapidated side 3-0 with the help of the 12th man, is nothing to shout about.

Despite the lost in the last group match, mathematically, Malaysia was still able to proceed into the next round. There is a big headache for coach Rajagopal on the status of the team, with injuries, suspension and all.

The only thing to say is, good luck for the next match. Up to this point, there is nothing that we are not proud of in the team. Malaysia Boleh!

Alternative to Eid Sacrifice

Idul adha is just around the corner. Attached to it is the pilgrimage to the Holy Land of Mecca and the act of animal sacrifice. Pilgrimage or performing the hajj is a one in a life time goal of every Muslim. It is regarded as one of the 5 pillars in Islam, as significant and important as the saying of the shahadah, 5 times a day prayer, zakat or alms giving and fasting in the month of Ramadan.

The sacrifice of animals or Qurban in Malaysia are usually conducted in Suraus and Mosques. This is cliché. At times, if one noticed, the number of animals to be sacrificed may be too many per village or per locality, resulting in surplus of meat. In some areas, the meat could not reach the needy, either because of inadequate meat supplies or logistical problems.

There are cases when city folks who wish to perform the qurban as part of the sunat muakkad (highly recommended) are unable to do so due to time constraint. However busy we are in our daily living, we shall not forget to be thankful to the Creator who has given us a bounty without us realising it. 

With all things internet, qurban is now made easier when you can now place your qurban bookings online. 2 such services available on-line are conducted by Muslim Aid Malaysia and EZQurban Sdn Bhd. The websites are listed below.

http://www.qurbanforlife.com/

 

http://www.ezqurban.org/

 

They will inform you (in the Malay Language – can always translate it using Google translator of course) how the sacrifice are conducted and to whom the sacrifice will be distributed to. InsyaAllah, our investment with them will be carried out well and the qurban will be able to reach those really in need.