TUMPAT, Dec 31 — Relief quickly turned to shock when the once critical flood waters receded only to expose massive damage to roads here.
Rapid flowing water in the area of Kampung Laut devoured roads, tearing away crash barriers, and bringing street lamps and electric cables down with them.
Deeper in, Gate Kok Keli, a small road built for cars to cross over Sungai Kok Keli, was ripped away, cutting off access from either ends of the road.
Mohammed Awang, 56, felt the aftermath could be tougher to face than the actual flood itself.
“We could run from the floods, but the destruction looks tougher to overcome. Floods have never caused any real damage here before,” he said.
“I don’t know how long it will take to rebuild all this.”
He pointed out that without Gate Kok Keli, he would have to take a much longer route to get to other nearby towns.
“I can’t get to Pengkalan Kubur now and the only other alternative is an old way, but it’s not a proper road,” he said.
“It is pretty much considered cut off.”
Kampung Kok Keli-born and bred Che Omar Mohd, 57, felt that to move forward there was a need to motivate the people of Tumpat.
“There needs to be a focus on mental as much as physical strength,” he said.
“These people have just lost a lot in their lives.
“There must be courage in picking up the pieces after this tragedy.
“At the same time we must motivate them in this difficult time.”
However Ibrahim Abbas, 67, who was part of a group of residents going around filling up holes of the ruined roads was already in high spirits.
“Floods here have never caused this kind of damage before,” he said.
“I guess we will just have to wait until we can get it all fixed.
Aside from road damage, Tumpat — along with Kuala Krai, Tanah Merah, Machang, Jeli and Pasir Mas — to date still do not have tap water, according to the National Security Council.
Water supply is currently operating at 44 per cent with 11 out of 35 state treatment plants functioning.
Water supply is expected to be operational in two weeks, with electricity currently reaching 58.7 per cent of the state, expected to be at 100 per cent in a week.
