Pray For Penang.
Posted by madmage at 10:42 AM on December 27, 2004.
It's very seldom things like this hit so close to home. Or rather, hit home. Penang will be Penang somehow. Even with the beach areas devastated by the tsunami, most of its populace was going about their grinding menial tasks, oblivious to the havoc that actually happened. The magnitude of yesterday's events did not hit me until this morning, when I decided to drive through the disaster zones.
So many treasured spots have been ravaged by the sea. Gurney Drive was closed off to traffic as MPPP workers thronged the area trying their best to repair the damages. As I headed north, more workers were washing down the Tg. Tokong zone, where waves smashed cars and boats against the houses across the road.
PSC appeared to be closed to public as well, where reports of a wall of water smashing into the gym and causing a massive crack in the swimming pool. Not to mention the capsized yatchs which were anchored in the marina.
Travelling on to Tg. Bungah, we discovered the wash out of the Shack. Looks like it'll be some time before one can enjoy a beer or two under the stars by the beach there. A couple of friends related on how all they could do was watch from their homes as the fishing village below them was torn away house after house by the relentless waves, and to have it all spiral down a mini whirpool, occupants and all.
Lost paradise is totally lost. All that remained of that establishment is the main house, and a lot of mud. Everything else was swept away.
But the feeling of dread finally sank in when we entered Miami beach. Police tape officially sealed off the beachfront, with dozens of emergency vehicles parked along the roads. A mobile disaster task center was set up, while navy divers prepared themselves for the grim task of body recovery ahead. Miami beach, on a Sunday AND a Public holiday would be host to a few hundred picnickers and anglers.
To have the official death toll for Miami beach to stay at 13 would be impossible. The stories from there are painful to hear. Of mothers who had their children taken from their grasp by the waves. Of the only son who had to identify the bodies of the rest of his family. Of the listless and anxious people who were pacing along the police lines. 38 dead for Penang so far. They failed to mention the 68 'officially' missing.
Another friend had a reunion dinner at a seaside hotel only to watch with morbid fascination as people fished a dead body from the sea. Heck he even has it on tape. The victim was a chinese female that died with her eyes open.
Things like this puts your life into prespective. All your little games that you play, of body politics, of social standing, are for naught when disaster strikes. My first fears were for my family, for my mom, my dad ( yes really) and my grandma who was supposed to be vacationing in one fo the hotels in Penang. And after that, I realised I had no one. And I never felt so lonely in my life.
A second quake is expected. A second wave has been predicted. To think that I've been having a recuring dream of all this. I suppose all we can do, is pray for Penang.
If I can find you now thing would get better
We can leave this town and run forever
I know some where, some how
We'll be together
Let your waves crash down on me
And take me away
Yellowcard - Ocean Avenue.
So many treasured spots have been ravaged by the sea. Gurney Drive was closed off to traffic as MPPP workers thronged the area trying their best to repair the damages. As I headed north, more workers were washing down the Tg. Tokong zone, where waves smashed cars and boats against the houses across the road.
PSC appeared to be closed to public as well, where reports of a wall of water smashing into the gym and causing a massive crack in the swimming pool. Not to mention the capsized yatchs which were anchored in the marina.
Travelling on to Tg. Bungah, we discovered the wash out of the Shack. Looks like it'll be some time before one can enjoy a beer or two under the stars by the beach there. A couple of friends related on how all they could do was watch from their homes as the fishing village below them was torn away house after house by the relentless waves, and to have it all spiral down a mini whirpool, occupants and all.
Lost paradise is totally lost. All that remained of that establishment is the main house, and a lot of mud. Everything else was swept away.
But the feeling of dread finally sank in when we entered Miami beach. Police tape officially sealed off the beachfront, with dozens of emergency vehicles parked along the roads. A mobile disaster task center was set up, while navy divers prepared themselves for the grim task of body recovery ahead. Miami beach, on a Sunday AND a Public holiday would be host to a few hundred picnickers and anglers.
To have the official death toll for Miami beach to stay at 13 would be impossible. The stories from there are painful to hear. Of mothers who had their children taken from their grasp by the waves. Of the only son who had to identify the bodies of the rest of his family. Of the listless and anxious people who were pacing along the police lines. 38 dead for Penang so far. They failed to mention the 68 'officially' missing.
Another friend had a reunion dinner at a seaside hotel only to watch with morbid fascination as people fished a dead body from the sea. Heck he even has it on tape. The victim was a chinese female that died with her eyes open.
Things like this puts your life into prespective. All your little games that you play, of body politics, of social standing, are for naught when disaster strikes. My first fears were for my family, for my mom, my dad ( yes really) and my grandma who was supposed to be vacationing in one fo the hotels in Penang. And after that, I realised I had no one. And I never felt so lonely in my life.
A second quake is expected. A second wave has been predicted. To think that I've been having a recuring dream of all this. I suppose all we can do, is pray for Penang.
If I can find you now thing would get better
We can leave this town and run forever
I know some where, some how
We'll be together
Let your waves crash down on me
And take me away
Yellowcard - Ocean Avenue.