BATU PAHAT: "When I got back from work, I noticed water seeping into the house. I quickly reached out to neighbours for help in moving," shared Noor Halmila Ahmad, 36, one of the flood victims in the area.
The mother of five, aged four to 16, expressed gratitude as, within hours, the water had risen to knee level in her home, and she, along with her children, were relocated to the temporary relief centre at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Bukit Kuari.
Feeling fortunate that her five sons had already started packing before she reached home from work, Noor Halmila recalled a similar flood last March that led to their relocation when the water reached waist level.
"It brought back the memory of the big flood that hit the district in March last year," she reflected during an interview.
Another flood victim, 73-year-old Maniseh Markasam, recounted being awakened by heavy rain last Sunday, making her worry about potential flooding in her house.
Living alone, she started preparations, packing belongings as a precaution.
"Around 1 am, heavy rain woke me up. The rooms were filled with water, and items were stored upstairs. Alone at the time, I initially wanted to move, but lacking transportation, I waited for help.
"Yesterday afternoon, my uncle Borhan (Sawidi, 78) and I were brought here (to the flood relief centre). This experience brings back memories of the major disaster last year," she shared.
Authorities opened two relief centres in the district following heavy rain and high tides, affecting the Sri Gading and Ayer Hitam areas.
The SK Bukit Kuari relief centre provides shelter to 76 people from 20 families. These victims came from Kampung Parit Semarang, Parit Lapis Semarang, and Parit Haji Hamid.
The other relief centre is at Balai Parit Suratman in Parit Yaani, sheltering seven victims from four families.