HEARING-IMPAIRED PUPIL AMONG 300 EVACUATED AS FLOODS STRIKE KOTA BHARU

KOTA BHARU, 23 Nov (Bernama) -- Special education student, Raja Muhammad Anas Izyan Raja Mohd Amir, seven, who is hearing-impaired, is among 300 flood victims evacuated to the relief centre at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Sering here today, after floodwaters rose rapidly in their residential area.

His mother, Samiah Mat Salleh, 30, said the water began rising early in the morning, prompting the family of five to relocate due to concerns for their eldest child, who has been using a hearing aid for the past two years.

"The flood in Kampung Pasir Kasar, Sering, is one of the worst we have ever experienced. Water began to enter our family's ancestral home, reaching ankle level inside, while outside it reached thigh level.

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"The water surged rapidly around 7 am. When we were packing our items last night, we didn't expect it to rise this fast. We quickly moved the refrigerator, washing machine, mattresses and pillows to higher places," she told Bernama at the SK Sering relief centre here today.

Samiah said the health and safety of Raja Muhammad Anas Izyan was their priority, as his hearing aid must be protected from water, and he also speaks less and requires clearer communication.

"He is an active child, but during a flood like this, we need to be extra careful. "We have informed the school that he cannot attend (lessons) due to the flood situation," said Samiah, who also brought along her other two children, Raja Auni Hanani, three, and Raja Muhammad Saif Akwa, two months.

She said they arrived at the relief centre at about 1 pm with help from a boat provided by the Malaysian Civil Defence Force, before being transported by a four-wheel-drive vehicle, as the canal in front of their home was no longer passable.

Her husband, Raja Mohd Amir Raja Mohd Safawi, 30, said this is the first time floodwaters had entered their home, and the situation is even more worrying as it involves young children, including a two-month-old infant.

"We live in an ancestral house, and usually the floods are not this bad, but this year is different. It is even more worrying because we have a child with disabilities, so we did not wait long to evacuate," he said.

-- BERNAMA