KAMPUNG NIBONG: An elderly woman was compelled to navigate 300 meters of floodwater while carrying her grandchild after her home was inundated by unexpected floodwaters earlier today.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Semek Mohamad, 60, faced the daunting task of evacuating her home in Kampung Nibong as floodwaters rose to chest height by 7 a.m. Continuous heavy rain since the previous morning had led to the sudden surge, leaving Semek and her family with little choice but to flee. Semek, along with five family members, braved the floodwaters, concerned more about their safety than the possessions left behind.

This marks the second time her residence has been affected by flooding this year, inflicting financial losses amounting to thousands of ringgit due to damage to electrical appliances, furniture, and plants. Semek recounted the harrowing decision to leave their home quickly, stating, “At first, my children and I wanted to wait for help from the security personnel. But the water rose so quickly, and we had no choice but to leave and seek assistance.”

The Terengganu State Disaster Management Committee Secretariat reported that, as of 2 p.m., 285 flood victims from 83 families were accommodated in seven temporary relief centers in the Hulu Terengganu district, while 238 victims from 63 families were housed in five centers in Besut. Semek and her family, carrying her one-year-old grandson, sought refuge at the temporary relief center at Sekolah Kebangsaan Kampung Nibong.