RESIDENTS of Kampung Limau Kasturi in Gua Musang, Kelantan have begun to repair over 20 raft houses to prepare for the Northeast Monsoon season expected to start tomorrow.

Mukim Kampung Limau Kasturi headman Mohd Shaffien Mohmood, 48, said the raft houses were built to save residents’ belongings affected by the “Bah Kuning” (yellow flood) tragedy nine years ago.

“Some of the 80 families also built several sheds in a hilly areas so they could move to higher ground.

“Many residents who live along the riverbanks and in low-lying areas are building raft houses to store their belongings,” he said when met by reporters.

He said items like electrical appliances, clothes, and important documents are kept there as the village was prone to floods.

One of the residents, Mat Diah Seman, 73, said the cost of building a raft house – that can accommodate 20 people using six to 20 plastic barrels – is between RM2,000 and RM5,000.

“I pay more than RM3,000 to build and maintain mine each year,” he said.

“Barrels are tied under the raft house so that they float when the water rises. But it also needs to be tied to trees to prevent them from being swept away,” he said.

Another resident, Samsiah Mahmad, 68, said the cost has increased due to the rising prices of materials such as plastic barrels, zinc, and wood in Gua Musang town.

“A carpenter usually charges RM50 to RM80 per day to build, which takes two weeks or more to complete,” she said. – Bernama, November 10, 2023.