Sungai Jerik in the Maran District of Pahang State experienced the worst flooding in 36 years. Homes were damaged, and water and electricity supply cut off. 56 volunteers from Tzu Chi Kuala Lumpur, Karak, Telemong, Kuantan, Benta and Raub, brought a truck-load of essentials for distribution to the flood victims.

Low lying areas were all flooded due to incessant heavy downpour.

On Dec 12, volunteers came to Sungai Jerik to survey the flood affected area.

A big crowd appeared at the registration counter waiting for the relief distribution. Volunteers, through excellent teamwork, handed the relief items to the flood victims.

Due to incessant rainfall in early December 2007 and the subsequent heavy overflow of water from the Pahang River on Dec 10, many of the low-lying areas in Sungai Jerik were submerged under six-feet of water. Residents were forced to move to rooftops, making the situation quite precarious.

Homes were damaged, water and electricity supply cut off, leaving the flood victims and rescue workers in Sungai Jerik helpless. With communication lines cut off from external sources, the local rescue team made use of whatever resources that were available. They dispatched lifeboats and transferred affected residents to safer grounds, or to the homes of their relatives and friends. The local residents, through great display of neighbourliness, offered whatever assistance they could, financial or otherwise. Some ladies even cooked at the community hall to cater for the daily meals of flood victims.

Warming the hearts after a disaster

Kuantan, being the nearest Tzu Chi Liaison Office, received the news and immediately dispatched local volunteers to the scene to have a first hand look at the situation. In the meantime they sought support from Kuala Lumpur Branch. On Dec 12, four volunteers from Kuala Lumpur, led by Lee Mun Keat, arrived at the flood site to survey. With assistance from Pang Yun Mei, a local Tzu Chi donor, they had a good idea of the pressing needs of the residents. On Dec 13, after collecting the preliminary information on the flood victims, 56 volunteers from Kuala Lumpur, Karak, Telemong, Kuantan, Benta and Raub went to Sungai Jerik with a truck-load of essentials for distribution to the flood victims.

The flood had rendered a number of roads inaccessible and the volunteers were forced to take a detour and longer journey to reach the community hall at Sungai Jerik. On arrival, the volunteers respectfully handed the essentials and well wishes to the flood victims. Though the relief given was only a temporary solution, it had helped the victims to overcome the immediate worries. In times of need, the smiles and warmth from the volunteers had soothed the victims' hearts and wiped away the troubles and worries, at least for the time being!

Chinese physician, Huang Xiao Zhi, is a local resident who has lived here for the last 48 years. He was trapped in his house by the sudden torrential water and was only rescued after spending one cold night alone. "The water current was so strong that even the wall crumbled and now everything in the house is gone!"

"In the past I used to help others. Now, I have problems and others came to help me. It's unbelievable that you all can come so fast. I'm indeed very glad!" As everything happened so fast, Huang Xiao Zhi did not manage to salvage anything, not even important documents. The clean shirt he was wearing was also given by others. With the supply of daily necessities and dry rations given to him, he was temporarily free from worry.

Worst than the flood 36 years ago

According to the residents of Sungai Jerik, this was the worst flood since 1971. In the previous flood, the water level was only one foot high and this had hardly impacted on the residents. This year, the heavy downpour came rather suddenly, catching everyone off-guard. The flood had devastated the town, causing severe damages to the shops, houses and flower beds.

A 55-year old Indian lady, Saroja A/P Ramasamy, and her grand-daughter, Thulasi A/P Tamil Chelvan, came to the community hall to receive the necessities for their family. After learning that there were ten poverty-stricken households facing water and food shortage, Tzu Chi volunteers visited their homes. Saroja's house was one of those visited.

The brick car porch was flattened by the strong current. Having been soaked in water, the wooden doors expanded, emitting a damp odour. All the household items were in disarray, and pillows and mattress were scattered everywhere. A foul stench filled the air. 

Thulasi's house is located near the river. Initially, when she saw water entering her house she tried to shift the furniture to higher ground. However, when she realized the water level was rising very fast she screamed and asked everyone to run for their lives.

Both of them were cautiously stepping on the mud and salvaging whatever they could find, though most items were covered with a thick layer of mud. Realizing they had lost everything in the flood, tears came streaming down Saroja's eyes. She thought about her late husband and her bleak future ahead. They are now taking temporary shelter at their relative's house.

"I was rather scared when the flood happened. Within five minutes, my body was in water and all the crawlies started to appear," said Sundar A/L Karuppiah. He and his children were happy with the essentials given by volunteers. For a while, they did not have to worry about food and drinks. Sundar gathered from Saroja that there was a charity group distributing relief at the community hall and he came to collect for his family.

Seeing sincere love during difficult time

Pan Yun Mei, a Tzu Chi member, said: "I'm thankful for the speedy response from Tzu Chi volunteers who came all the way to help us. Helping others is indeed a blessing and whereupon we derive joy and warmth."

Yun Mei stays at Sungai Jerik for the last 30 over years. She said it was not difficult at all to identify the flood victims and that was why she volunteered to help in the disaster assessment work.

"I gave my personal clothing to whoever needed them. Most of my clothing is gone now." She was thankful to have escaped unscathed and helped whoever she knew. During the relief distribution, she put on Tzu Chi's volunteer vest and was the bridge linking Tzu Chi volunteers and flood victims. As a result of this, she had the opportunity to see Tzu Chi volunteers in action and wished that she could join Tzu Chi to help others.

The flood victims, though still suffering from shock, were glad to see the human warmth at such difficult moments. The material assistance may come and go, but not the love and support delivered by the volunteers. They will be remembered for a long, long time.