TUMPAT FLOOD EVACUEES FIND SAFETY, COMFORT IN SEAMLESS COORDINATION AT RELIEF CENTRES

By Noornasrin Salsabila Othman

TUMPAT, Nov 24 (Bernama) -- As floodwaters surged into neighbourhoods across Tumpat, hundreds of residents made their way to temporary relief centres.

Many anticipated chaos, but were surprised to be met with calm, order and unexpected comfort instead.

The well-organised management of temporary relief centres (PPS) in this district has proven to be the backbone of efforts to ensure every flood evacuee has a comfortable and safe space to cope with the disaster.

For Rosnani Abbas, 57, the decision to leave her home in Kampung Taman Sri Dalam Rhu came the moment water reached her knees.

By late afternoon, she arrived at PPS Sekolah Kebangsaan Kelaboran, exhausted and anxious. Yet within minutes, those worries began to fade.

“By around 5 pm. I was here, and in just half an hour the tents, mats and resting areas were all ready.

“Everything was handled smoothly. NADMA (National Disaster Management Agency) and JKM (Social Welfare Department) really made sure we didn’t feel forgotten, even in a situation like this,” she told Bernama.

Nearby, Sakilah Abdul Rahman, 32, watched her three young children, 11-year-old Nur Zara, six-year-old Nur Dhia, and toddler Darwisyah, play quietly in their cubicle space.

Last year, floodwaters rose to chest level in her housing area. This year, she refused to take that chance.

“When the water hit half a metre, we moved immediately.

“The staff here have been amazing. The food comes on time, and there’s enough for everyone, such as fried vermicelli, rice with chicken, and clean water. The kids are comfortable. They haven’t fussed at all,” she said.

Her gratitude reflects the broader sentiment among evacuees at the centre, where coordination between agencies has helped soften the blow of the disaster.

Volunteers and personnel move briskly through the hall, registering families, distributing supplies and checking on anyone who looks unwell.

Fathiah Ibrahim, the Tumpat JKM officer overseeing the PPS, said structure is crucial.

“All tent placements must follow strict standard operating procedures to avoid overcrowding and maintain comfort. A small PPS cannot exceed 500 tents, while larger ones can go up to 2,000 or more.

“Usually, one classroom can fit three tents. Tents and mats are the essentials, but we’ll also try to meet other needs like diapers for families with toddlers,” she explained.

She said during the first 24 hours, evacuees receive retort meals before transitioning to freshly cooked food prepared through a community gotong-royong effort.

“Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even snacks are provided,” Fathiah said.

A check by Bernama found elderly residents being helped to their seats by volunteers, while security personnel escorted families carrying infants.  Rows of cubicle tents lined the hall, each offering privacy and a small sense of home.

For now, as rain continues to threaten and rivers swell, the PPS stands as more than a shelter; it is a lifeline. And for evacuees like Rosnani and Sakilah, it is proof that in the hardest moments, good organisation and human compassion can make all the difference.

-- BERNAMA