Monsoon season in Malaysia
As we brace ourselves to face the heavy storm that happens annually towards the end of the year, flooding becomes a common problem a lot of Malaysians living in low, flood-prone areas have to deal with, whether you’re in a small town or big city.
Here are 10 – mostly troublesome – instances that are highly relatable to Malaysians who have had to rush to salvage their belongings when a flash flood happened.
1. Having restless and sleepless nights because you spend all day worrying about what’s gonna happen next
Image credit: Viral Viral Videos
Though rainy weather is supposed to be something people enjoy, those of us who have been affected by floods vividly remember the restless and sleepless nights we spent worrying about waking up to by sloshing noises in the middle of the night.
In fact, being sleep-deprived during rainy seasons is a real issue – we’re probably staring blankly at our ceilings thinking about getting a new set of furniture, what waterproof items we need to buy and whether we should even plan a year-end vacation, among other things.
2. Hoping that the rain will stop for good but you know it won’t!
Image credit: GIPHY
Because you know there’s literally nothing you can do except hope or pray to God that the rain will stop for good – even if you know this is going to continue anyway since it’s the rainy season.
Constant rain means that the water level will continue to rise, causing more damage and the flood will not recede anytime soon. Often, flash floods occur because of poor urban planning and drainage systems failure in residential areas.
So if we want to see a better resolution to the issue, we might fare better by actively writing in and raising the issues to our MPs and urban planners than sitting on our hands and just hoping for the best.
3. Trying to salvage the clothes over everything else
Video credit: ERA (Malaysia)
When there’s a flood, many people often panic and wonder what they should save first, with little time left in their hands. So, a lot of people prioritise clothes over everything else and sometimes, valuable items such as electrical goods and books that are kept on the floor often go unnoticed.
There is really no way to debate as to which one of these is more important and worth saving, but trying to salvage everything can be difficult, especially if you don’t have a place to keep them temporarily.
So, it’s not always a good idea to keep a lot of things on the floor, especially items that are easily damaged by water.
4. Not being able to use the toilet because there’s just too much water in the toilet bowl
Image credit: Toiletseek (for illustration purposes only)
No one would think that you’d be unable to use the toilet when there is a flood because the water level in the bowl is too high. But folks living in landed houses in flood-prone areas know this all too well.
Because toilets in landed houses are located at about the same level as the sewage system, there is a higher possibility for excess water to rise upwards in toilet bowls and via bathroom floor drains. During this time, it is not possible to use the toilet as waste has nowhere to go.
Only people who live in landed houses know the real struggle of not being able to relieve themselves when there’s a flood because flushing is not possible.
5. Finally realising the importance of having a spin mop in the house
Image credit: Carousell
As technology advances, we see how regular cleaning tools such as mops take on modern features making chores a whole lot easier for most people. But in many Malaysian homes, a spin mop is not a much-valued item until there is a flood.
Despite its benefits, a lot of people still choose to buy a regular mop because it’s cheap and suitable to be used on all floor types. But a spin mop can be extremely helpful to dry up your floor when you have no energy for all the twisting that has to be done on a regular mop.
This, along with a floor wiper, can be the saviour during those rainy days. So, if you have been thinking about getting a spin mop, this could be the right time to start investing in one for quick and easy cleaning.
6. Spending hours cleaning the house to get rid of all the dirt
Image credit: Food Aid Foundation
Part of the reason why a flash flood can lead to restless and sleepless nights is that you spend so much time cleaning the house. This process can take hours and those who prefer having everything spick and span right away can’t sleep until all the work is done.
This happened to me several times when my house was affected by a flood. I don’t just need to get the water out and mop the floor, but also wipe the furniture and put things back in order. And when I was finally done for the day, I remember having sore hands with blisters all over my palms. Still, I decided to go to work the next day!
7. Applying for leave the next day because you are too tired to work after all the cleaning
Image credit: Meme Generator
If you have been affected by a flood before, then probably you have had to apply for annual leave or emergency leave. I mean, find me someone who is in the mood to go to work the next day when they have spent most of their night cleaning the house and are completely exhausted.
Oh, and not to forget the mental stress that comes with having to worry about replacing items that have been spoilt or destroyed by the flood. We are probably just thankful if our car is still working even after all being semi-submerged in water.
8. Avoiding purchasing new furniture because you are unsure of what the future beholds
Image credit: Kedai Perabut Terpakai Tanjung Karang
When a piece of furniture has to be replaced, it feels like a no-brainer to go and shop for a new item. However, those who have experienced flooding in their homes will find themselves stuck in this constant mind battle of whether or not to get new furniture.
Take me, for example. My house was affected by an unexpected flash flood in 2018 for the first time in decades. Before the flood, I decided to buy a pedestal drawer to be kept under my work desk but I was second-guessing myself for three years until I eventually decided not to buy it at all.
And I think this is also true for a lot of people who have been affected by floods. People become cautious about getting new furniture because they know another flood will ruin everything. Some learn it the hard way while some are smart enough to know to wait and see.
9. You prefer buying plastic over wood or metal because it lasts longer
Image credit: Hidayu’s Journal
As much as people know that plastic is not eco-friendly and they should reduce its usage where possible, people who live in flood-prone areas still choose to buy plastic containers because they can be incredibly useful in keeping our belongings safe as they are waterproof and durable.
Try visiting ringgit shops or supermarkets during the rainy season and you will see plastic storage boxes and furniture getting sold like hotcakes! Sometimes, they even sell out so quickly that people make several visits to shops in search of them.
Plastic items are generally cheaper than metal or wood, making them a much more feasible option for a lot of people. Imagine spending thousands on a new set of furniture and not having them last you for even a year.
10. Knowing that this will not be over for the next few months before the cycle repeats itself
Image credit: ACEGIF.COM
The hardest part about dealing with a flood is probably knowing the fact that it may become a recurring issue for you, unless there’s a permanent solution to it, such as the upgrading of the drainage system or moving to a new place that is less affected by heavy rain.
Since Malaysia has tropical weather, the rainy season happens every year and lasts for a good half a year overall. And each year, the rainy season can be very unpredictable and cause flash floods pretty much everywhere in the country, including in well-developed areas such as the Kuala Lumpur city centre.
Monsoon season in Malaysia
With the monsoon already here, we hope folks living in flood-prone areas will be extra cautious and keep themselves and their belongings safe. Flooding is becoming quite rampant in Malaysia even in well-developed areas like the Klang Valley, not only because of urban development, but also climate change too.
So, with all the recent happenings and countless reports on flooding, we hope that our authorities will look into these issues more seriously and re-evaluate urban planning to create a safer living environment for everyone.
Read more related stories here:
- Flash flood affects over 10 villages in Kedah
- Passenger stranded in flood details his experience
- Flash floods cause massive traffic jams in KL
- Cats get rescued during floods in Johor & Pahang
Cover image adapted from: Food Aid Foundation and Hidayu’s Journal (for illustration purposes only)