PASIR MAS – An eatery operator in Rantau Panjang near here has decided to continue his business as usual, even though his shop has been inundated by floodwaters since early yesterday morning.
Mohd Fadli Mat Zain, 45, said that running an eatery during floods is a first for him, as he and his wife had only set up business here about a month ago.
“Previously, I sold fruits in Tanah Merah but moved here (Rantau Panjang) to run an eatery, even though the shop owner had told me that waters might rise during the monsoon season.
“This is my source of income; selling roti canai and other cooked dishes,” he said at his shop here today.
Fadli said conducting his business in a flood-hit area had benefited him as he is able to generate more revenue as many outsiders visit his eatery while in the area to view the flood situation.
“When I opened the stall at 7am yesterday, Sg Golok, about 200m from town, started to overflow into this area and, an hour later, combined with heavy rain, water began to enter my shop.
“Despite the floods, I am still imposing standard operating procedures (SOPs) in my shop to control the spread of Covid-19,” he said.
“The current water level still allows me to operate, but I am taking precautions by keeping important items in high places."
He said if the heavy rain continues and causes the water level to rise further, he will close his shop and move to safety.
“Residents here are used to this kind of flooding every year,” he said, adding he makes between RM200 and RM300 daily during the floods compared with RM100 to RM200 on a normal day. – Bernama, December 20, 2020
