FLOOD: STRONG CURRENTS HINDER HELP FROM REACHING UUM STUDENTS, LECTURERS STRANDED IN HATYAI

SINTOK, Nov 26 (Bernama) — Efforts to bring out 36 students and four lecturers from Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) who are stranded due to floods in Hatyai, Thailand, continue to face hurdles as the strong currents and rising water levels around their accommodation persist.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Student Affairs and Alumni UUM, currently performing the duties of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Dr Ahmad Marthada Mohamed, said that the situation has also resulted in no safe land route for food supplies to be delivered at the moment.

"UUM continues to liaise with the Consulate General of Malaysia in Songkhla, non-governmental organisations, and several Muslim leaders, including mobilising UUM alumni there to assist in delivering food, drinks, and medication.

"However, the strong currents around the Wangburapa Grand Hotel, which is near the river, have caused some small boats to capsize. Several rescue attempts were made two days ago but were unsuccessful due to the swift current," he said in a statement here today.

According to him, all the affected UUM students and staff are in good health and high spirits while awaiting efforts to bring them home.

Ahmad Marthada said the university has also identified one of the students as having Thalassemia, and the student's parents have been informed of their child's situation in Hatyai.

He added that UUM is very grateful to the concerned local community who have provided rice porridge for the university's students and staff there.

"It is understood that the government has also taken various approaches to help evacuate the UUM students and lecturers as quickly as possible.

"UUM has also prepared vehicles to pick up the students and lecturers at a route that is accessible by road," he said.

-- BERNAMA