After a few days of rain in Kelantan, the mesmerising emerald green river, initially hailed as a potential new tourist attraction in Malaysia, has reverted back to its original condition, leaving disappointment among many netizens.
Photo via TikTok (@fhraslfikahmd_)
Over the weekend, Malaysians were delighted to wake up to the sight of a river in Kampung Kuala Hau, Machang, bathed in an emerald green hue reminiscent of pristine rivers in Switzerland or northwestern China.
TikTok user @fhraslfikahmd_ shared two videos capturing this picturesque spectacle, with one video amassing over 700,000 views.
"This morning's view (27 December) is truly beautiful, a creation of God. To those doubting filters or edits, watch this TikTok video," one person commented.
Local residents, familiar with this natural phenomenon, informed reporters that the emerald green transformation of the river in Kampung Kuala Hau is not uncommon and has happened during the rainy season for the past three years.
Wan Syafiq Wan Suhaimi, a 23-year-old resident explained that the area is a tributary known to adopt the green hue after substantial rainfall. "The water started turning emerald green last Saturday (23 December), and the residents filmed the sight until it went viral.
Three years ago, this phenomenon did not go viral because it was considered normal for the local residents," he said.
The Kelantan environment department, led by director Wan Aminordin Wan Kamaruddin, dispatched a team to collect water samples from the location for a comprehensive analysis to determine the cause of the colour change.
However, on December 28th, the river had gone back to its usual "teh tarik" colour, in which netizens expressed their disappointment.
Lee Fong Yeen, who visited the kampung and posted five photos on a Kelantan community group on Facebook, jokingly said: "Next time, if you hear of a river turning emerald green in Malaysia, be sure to rush there immediately because it only lasts two days.
Photo via Facebook (Lee Fong Yeen)
“The river has returned to the ‘teh tarik’ colour that we are all familiar with."
TikTok user @fhraslfikahmd_ also provided an update, confirming that the river was no longer a stunning verdant sight.
