Kota bharu: 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.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Samiah described the situation in Kampung Pasir Kasar, Sering, as one of the worst floods they have ever experienced. The floodwaters began to infiltrate their ancestral home, reaching ankle level inside and thigh level outside. The family had to act quickly, moving household items such as the refrigerator and washing machine to higher ground as water surged rapidly around 7 am.

Samiah stressed the importance of protecting her son’s hearing aid from water to ensure his communication needs are met, as he speaks less and requires clearer communication. The family has informed the school that Raja Muhammad Anas Izyan cannot attend lessons due to the flood situation. Alongside her eldest child, Samiah also brought along her other two children, Raja Auni Hanani, three, and Raja Muhammad Saif Akwa, two months, to the relief centre, arriving around 1 pm with assistance from the Malaysian Civil Defence Force.

Her husband, Raja Mohd Amir Raja Mohd Safawi, 30, expressed concern over the unprecedented nature of the flooding, especially as it impacted their young children, including a two-month-old infant. The floodwaters breached their home for the first time, emphasizing the necessity of their swift evacuation, particularly with a child with disabilities in their care.