FOR most people, night is a time to rest after a long day at work but for me, every time it rains, night becomes the most unsettling moment.
While it is true that rain is a blessing to be appreciated, it brings sustenance and God’s mercy, reviving dry land, nourishing crops and serving as a vital water source for all living beings.
For me, staying at Kampung Sinar Budi Baru, Batu Kawa, every drop of rain brings a feeling that is difficult to describe: worry, fear, frustration and sadness, all mixed together.
For the past eight years, my husband, daughter and I have lived in this village. At first, we never imagined that the peaceful life here would come with a recurring test every year: floods.
Whenever heavy rain falls, especially at night, I rarely sleep soundly. The sound of rain hitting the roof may be soothing for some but for me, it creates a sense of anxiety that is difficult to describe.
Sometimes, I would wake up several times a night. There were even times when I did not sleep at all. The first thing I do is reach for my mobile phone and go to the iHydro website to monitor the river water level. If the reading shows the water level rising, my heart begins to race.
I know that once the river level rises, it is only a matter of time before the water overflows into our compound, given our repeated experience with floods.
If the rain continues, my family and I must prepare for the possibility of moving to a temporary evacuation centre (PPS), which has almost become an annual routine.
During the years we have lived here, we have lost count of how many times we have been flood victims. This year alone, not even three months have passed, and our house has already been flooded three times.
The latest happened on Tuesday (March 10).
Heavy rain started as early as 6am and continued for more than six hours, causing floodwater to enter the house up to calf level. Although it was not as severe as previous incidents, it was still exhausting.
My husband and I, who were both at work at the time, had to rush home.
When we arrived, we immediately lifted important items to higher places: furniture, electrical appliances, clothes and important documents.
When the water subsides, the task of cleaning the house begins, which can take hours or even days.
It is exhausting work. The floor has to be washed repeatedly because of the mud and dirt carried in by the floodwater.
The stench of river water also takes several days to completely disappear. Not only do flood disasters submerge our home’s floors but they also dampen our spirits.
That is the routine every time a flood occurs. Those who have never experienced it may find it difficult to imagine the hardship. In reality, the most painful part is not just the property damage but also the physical exhaustion and emotional stress that accompany each flood incident.
As flood victims, we also feel our lives are limited. Even going on holiday is difficult because we constantly worry that floods may occur at any time.
Who will help? What will happen to the house? What about the belongings inside? All these questions constantly linger in our minds.
It even affects decisions when buying furniture, electrical appliances or other household items. The space to truly enjoy life feels restricted.
What made this recent flood even more heartbreaking was that it occurred during the holy month of Ramadan. This was the first time we experienced flooding during Ramadan, with only about 10 days left before Muslims celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
We had already started preparing for the festivities little by little. Some festive cookies had been bought, new curtains were planned to be installed and the house has been cleaned.
But when the flood came, all the excitement disappeared. When your house is flooded, the last thing on your mind is preparing for Hari Raya. What remains is only exhaustion and disappointment.
Earlier this year, I also experienced a painful flood episode. Even more disheartening was that it happened on two consecutive nights while people were celebrating the arrival of the New Year 2026.
At that time, the water inside the house reached thigh level. But the most unforgettable experience happened in 2023 when the water rose to waist level inside the house.
In the blink of an eye, the living room where we usually relax turned into a sea of murky water.
Almost all the furniture was submerged. Mattresses were soaked, cupboards damaged, kitchen items swept away, and several electrical appliances could not be saved.
The Batu Kawa area, including Kampung Sinar Budi Baru, is frequently affected by floods, especially during prolonged heavy rainfall. In the past, hundreds of flood victims from the area have been placed in temporary evacuation centres.
As a long-term measure, the government is currently implementing several flood mitigation projects in Batu Kawa.
Among them is the RM36.66 million flood mitigation project in Desa Wira, which involves the construction of retention ponds, a high-capacity pumping system and a river embankment stretching about 3km to reduce flood risks in surrounding areas, including Kampung Sinar Budi Baru.
Once completed, the project is expected to protect about 58 hectares of residential areas and benefit more than 4,000 residents in Batu Kawa.
In addition, a larger project, such as the proposed Sungai Sarawak Bypass, involving a new river channel of about 8km, has also been suggested as a long-term solution to reduce flooding in the area.
As a resident who has repeatedly experienced floods, I can only hope that all these projects will be completed on schedule.
My hope is actually very simple. Not grand development, and certainly not luxurious.
It would be enough if one day, when it rains, we no longer have to stay awake at night monitoring the river level.
It would be enough if our home were no longer flooded whenever it rains heavily.
And when Ramadan arrives, we can prepare for Hari Raya peacefully like everyone else.
As I write this piece, I am sitting inside a tent at the PPS, reflecting on this test of nature.
In my heart, I realise that when we feel that we are suffering, there are many others out there who are enduring even greater hardship.
Hopefully, when the flood mitigation projects are fully completed, residents of Kampung Sinar Budi Baru will finally be able to breathe a sigh of relief.
For those of us who have lived with floods for years, peace of mind is something truly priceless.
