Torrential Floods in Malaysia: Assessing the Loss and Vulnerabilities in Three Kelantan Villages

A.H.M Zehadul Karim,Nor Azlin Tajuddin,Md Noon Hazizan,Sohela Mustari,Nurazzura Mohammad Diah

doi:10.5901/mjss.2016.v7n5p192

Abstract

This research is an attempt to explore the socio-economic loss and vulnerabilities of the people in three villages of Kelantan State who have been considered as the worst victims of the calamity in December 2014 Flood in Malaysia. Three villages Kg.Laloh, Kg Manjor and Kg Manik Urai Lama were chosen purposively which later were surveyed most extensively to make the study totally enumerated in nature. As part of the qualitative study, the research conducted three FGDs and ten in-depth interviews. Findings of the study indicate that with a few exceptions, the great majority of the villagers regardless of their socio-demographic position, suffered badly from the floods in terms of losing their homes, food, pure drinking water and having no transport and carrier for immediate shiftment. In addition to these vulnerabilities, villagers having farming or/and farming related activities also endured badly as many of them lost their crops and animals during the flood. Based on the above, the research suggests that the government or policy planners consider building shelters in strategic locations of the villages immediately to protect the life of the people during the flood upsurge in the future and thus reduce their vulnerabilities. It is advisable that a community resilience and preparedness should be well articulated in advance with the involvement of the local people. There should be proper coordination in providing aid to the people during the flood so that all the victims receive them equally to mitigate their economic crises and sufferings. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2016.v7n5p192

Highlights

Introduction and Background of the StudyHuman beings normally go through a very solitary life which can suddenly be disrupted due to natural calamities and in these calamitous situations, people become vulnerable, helpless and shelterless which result in immense suffering and distress
Environmentalists and social scientists often conceptualize a holistic viewpoint of such natural disasters and explore the indigenous mechanisms to cope with such critical situations
Among natural calamities, flooding causes great vulnerability to the affected people by destroying their livelihood options and properties, damaging bio-diversity and posing great threat to the lives of the affected people. To examine such impact of flooding in general and in relation to the devastating floods in Malaysia in December 2014, we focus on the socio-economic vulnerabilities of the affected people in three villages in the state of Kelantan in Malaysia

Summary

Introduction

Introduction and Background of the StudyHuman beings normally go through a very solitary life which can suddenly be disrupted due to natural calamities and in these calamitous situations, people become vulnerable, helpless and shelterless which result in immense suffering and distress. Among natural calamities, flooding causes great vulnerability to the affected people by destroying their livelihood options and properties, damaging bio-diversity and posing great threat to the lives of the affected people (see Dolan & Walker 2006; Armah et al, 2010; Chan 2012; Karim 2014). To examine such impact of flooding in general and in relation to the devastating floods in Malaysia in December 2014, we focus on the socio-economic vulnerabilities of the affected people in three villages in the state of Kelantan in Malaysia. The villagers’ social life was immensely affected as they had scarcity of food and drinking water, loss of immediate shelter, shortage of relief as well as health care support during and after the catastrophe

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