It’s all in how you wrap it

Better safe than sorry: Moh Norddin showing a pile of his household items that he wrapped in a blue plastic canvas tarp at his home in Kampung Bukit Tok Bat in Kuala Berang, Terengganu. — Bernama

KUALA BERANG: While most people would just move their belongings out of the reach of floodwaters, pensioner Moh Norddin Ahmad uses a different tack

He wraps them in canvas – even his car and motorcycle.

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This year, the resident of Kampung Bukit Tok Bat here meticulously wrapped all his furniture with a 6m square plastic canvas tarp.

“This is the second time I’ve used this method. I did the same thing during the floods last year, wrapping both my Proton Persona car and a motorcycle with canvas.

“Alhamdulillah, the vehicles could still start despite being submerged in floodwaters,” said the 60-year-old when met at his house by Bernama.

With the canvas costing only a total of RM90, Moh Norddin, who has lived in the village since 2006, managed to so far shield his furniture and vehicle from substantial damage during the floods.

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According to him, the idea to use plastic canvas tarps to protect his belongings stemmed from his conversations with his four children while they were stranded by floods in February last year.

“I saw how other people tried to protect their furniture by moving these to high places, especially on the dining table.

“However, the floodwaters sometimes rise beyond that level, eventually damaging the items.

“With this method, Insya Allah, they will be safe. Even if some of them swell and warp due to being submerged by water, they can still be saved.

“However, if the water goes above chest level, this approach won’t work ... but that’s all right, this is my effort. I’ll leave the rest to God,” he said.