PASIR MAS: The annual threat of flooding has prompted traders in Rantau Panjang to take extra precautions, including reducing stock levels and moving merchandise to higher ground to minimise losses during the monsoon season.
Clothing trader Azila Zanuddin, 45, said most traders were avoiding large purchases of new stock as they normally would towards the end of the year, opting instead to sell existing merchandise before gradually replenishing their supplies.
“It has become a necessity for us traders here towards the end of the year, as the monsoon season approaches.
“We store our merchandise in higher places to prevent damage and losses.
“Likewise, most traders avoid purchasing large quantities of new stock during the monsoon season. We sell our existing stock first, before gradually replenishing our supplies in smaller quantities,” she told Bernama.
Another trader, Muhammad Shahmir Amzar Azmi, 25, who sells shoes and slippers, said he was taking precautionary measures by moving his merchandise to a specially built loft at his business premises, to prevent damage in the event of floodwaters entering his shop.
“These preparations are necessary every year, as we do not want to take any chances in the event of sudden flooding.
“Goods which are easily damaged and those of high value will be moved to higher places first, while other items are arranged so that they can be easily relocated if the situation worsens,” he said.
He said business equipment and important documents were also kept in safe places in preparation for possible flooding.
Checks by Bernama found that most traders in the town had begun making early preparations for the monsoon season, including moving their merchandise to higher places and setting up storage areas, to minimise the risk of losses.
Meanwhile, residents in several flood-prone villages around Rantau Panjang, including Kampung Gual Periok, Kampung Padang Lincin and Kampung Tok Deh, have also taken early precautionary measures, by preparing fibreglass boats for use as transport during floods.
A resident, Shukri Che Mat, 60, said the fibreglass boats would be used to facilitate residents’ movement when floodwaters inundated the village.
“Floodwaters usually rise to chest level in this village, as it is located just a few metres from Golok River.
“Water levels typically rise after two or three hours of continuous heavy rain. Therefore, to avoid a chaotic situation, we make early preparations by moving essential items to higher places,” he said.
Meanwhile, checks in several areas around Kota Baru found that the weather had remained overcast from morning until late afternoon today, with no sunshine and intermittent showers occurring at short intervals.