Public perception of Monsoon floods in Malaysia: A case study of Kota Bharu, Kelantan

Monsoon floods are natural disasters whose routine occurances may elicit different perceptions by the very people experiencing them . This study examined the perceptions of the local public of Kota Bharu, Kelantan regarding monsoon floods that visited them anually. Primary data were gathered from questionnaire-based field survey of 400 residents within the vicinity of the Kelantan river. Analysis results of these over-10 years local residents indicated that community flood preparedness in terms of food, transportation and rescue facilities and resources helped them to cope favourably with the situation and prevented them from being in a state of emergency. In addition, the ready availability of certain rescue implements such as life buoys proved that flood disaster could also bring joy and fun to certain quarters of the local ‘victim’ population.