The JL Fara Houseboat, a beloved floating restaurant in Kota Bharu, has officially updated its status to “permanently closed” on Google following the devastating Kelantan floods.
The update, made as of this writing, reflects the tragic aftermath of the disaster.
The restaurant gained widespread attention after a viral video showed it being swept away by strong floodwaters.
In a X video shared by Malaysia Hari Ini, we can see that the houseboat drifting uncontrollably downstream.
BANJIR KELANTAN
— Malaysia Hari Ini (@MsiaHariIni) November 27, 2024
Restoran JL Fara Houseboat telah hanyut dibawa arus semalam, akibat banjir melanda di Kelantan. pic.twitter.com/8XOyqsH6UM
It was later towed back to safety by a speedboat, as captured in a TikTok video posted by @ranggo56.
@ranggo56 Tabah lah wahai kakak ku @farajl_ atas segala dugaan,,mungkin ada hikmah disebaliknya,,, insyaallah,,,Kami petang tadi dah bt yg terbaek untuk selamatkan House boat JL FARA,, Alhamdulillah kami berjaya #fyp #viralvideo ♬ Astaghfirullah (Cover) – Anisa Rahman
Despite the recovery efforts, the damage incurred appears to have been too severe for the business to resume operations.
According to the owner, Fara Sharina, the floating restaurant is valued at RM1.2 million.
In an Instagram post, Fara revealed that the restaurant had previously been struck by a tree and was swept away the following day.
The news has sparked an outpouring of sympathy on social media, with many lamenting the loss of a unique dining spot.
Locals are urging for more comprehensive support for businesses and individuals affected by the flooding, which has left a lasting impact on Kelantan’s landscape.
