KUALA TERENGGANU, The joy of a married couple celebrating the birth of their baby boy in Kampung Gong Tok Nasek here was cut short thanks to flooding.
Badrul Hasyim Badaruddin, 39, said that he and his wife, Robi Mohd, 40, all their children, including the two-day-old baby, along with his parents who were staying at his home due to the birth of their youngest grandson chose to evacuate to a temporary relief shelter at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Chendering here.
"If I didn’t think of my eight children, my wife and my parents, I would not have sough shelter here. This is my first time as a flood evacuee.
"As a father, though, I need to make the right decision, even though it was hard to leave my home,” he told Bernama at the shelter today.
He said that even though his house was slightly elevated at ankle height from the ground, it was the first time it had been inundated, and more worrying, the water came from a nearby drain that was clearly dirty.
The insurance adjuster said that he was uncertain of evacuating as the floodwaters rose and receded alternatingly.
"Heavy rain caused the waters to rise at around 4 am yesterday, then it went down again just after Zohor prayers. But because of non-stop rain in the afternoon, water rushed back into my home.
"I’ve used the chairs and tables to place other items safe from the flooding. It’s sad to see my children, wife and parents not havin somewhere comfortable to sit, so here we are, all 12 of us,” he said as he expressed his gratitude that they were all unharmed.
“I’m really satisfied with how we’re treated here by those running the shelter. They’re very kind and always take the time to check up on us. Every other basic necessity is also available,” he added.
Terengganu currently has 2,751 flood evacuees and rising, with 18 relief centres opened in five districts, nine in Kuala Nerus, Kuala Terengganu (four), two each in Setiu and Marang, and Besut being the latest hit with one centre opened.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency