KOTA BARU, Dec 29  — As the number of evacuees in relief centres rose, many still refused to leave their flooded homes.

Families with children were travelling by foot across rooftops to visit each other’s houses as they waited for water levels to subside.

Malaysian Red Crescent Society Kelantan chapter deputy chairman Dr Seri Buana Zainudin blamed it on stubbornness born out of ignorance.

“While most people were scared by this extraordinary floods and looked for higher ground, some chose to believe it was a freak occurrence which would only last a short while,” he said, puzzled by the thought.

He explained on Thursday, the Red Crescent team had to save a pregnant woman trapped in her own home after she had refused to move for days.

“She was due in four days and was up to her neck in water before she came with us,” he said.

“Some people are stubborn about leaving their homes without realising that the situation could get worse.”

Dr Buana estimates ten per cent of victims in Kampung Telok Panji, where he scouted for remaining evacuees by boat, are adamant not to leave their homes.

Based on his observation, he said it is reflective of the situation around Kota Baru.

“We have done all we can to warn them. I don’t know how they plan to find food being stuck on second floors and rooftops,” he said.

Dr Buana also warned the ignorance was not limited to their understanding of the situation’s severity.

Hygiene has become a concern as children took to playing in the water without considering the possible spread of waterborne diseases.

“It is a very Kelantanese culture to keep smiling, even during hard times. But we must not forget the water on the streets is not clean and is definitely not consumable,” he said.