Tide of gloom: Nur Hidayah showing the baju kurung she bought for Hari Raya that was destroyed in the floods.
JOHOR BARU: Factory worker Nur Hidayah Isa carefully packed her Hari Raya clothes into a bag, filled with anticipation as she prepared to return to her hometown in Pahang to celebrate the festive occasion with her family and friends.
The 32-year-old took the initiative to purchase Hari Raya clothes and treats for her family, aiming to delight them with a thoughtful surprise.
Her aspirations were abruptly thwarted as the People’s Housing Project (PPR) Desa Mutiara flats, where she resides on the ground floor, experienced flooding for the first time.
“Sadly, everything was in vain as the floods hit us, destroying everything along with our electrical appliances and furniture,” said Nur Hidayah when met at her flat.
Desa Mutiara PPR was one of the areas flooded for the first time.
Halimah said while the floods did not ruin any of her material preparations for Hari Raya, the disaster has definitely soured the mood. — THOMAS YONG/The Star
It was also the only PPR in the state affected by the floods, which began last Thursday.
“We had no experience in dealing with floods and have never even imagined going through it.
“We did not have time to salvage any of the festive items we bought.
“We only rushed to get our important documents and any essentials we could grab.
“Our Raya mood has been shattered,” she lamented.
Nur Hidayah was grateful that no one in the family was hurt.
“My mother-in-law was alone at home when the floodwaters started rising. Thankfully she is fine,” she said.
Another resident on the same floor, Halimah Abdul Ahmed, 74, was fortunate as the floods did not ruin anything she prepared for Hari Raya.
“My Raya clothes were spared, as they were placed in the top compartment of my cupboard.
“Material things aside, it is more about the emotional trauma we had to endure.
“It has never happened before,” she said.
Halimah said she was with her two grandchildren, a one-year old and a 32-year-old with special needs, when the floodwaters started rising.
“I take care of my grandchildren when my daughters are at work.
“When the floods happened, it was just the three of us, and it was a very frightening experience.
“Thankfully, the kind neighbours helped us out,” she said.
As of noon yesterday, the number of flood victims statewide dropped to 6,585 compared to over 13,000 at its peak.
Six districts – Johor Baru, Batu Pahat, Kota Tinggi, Kluang, Pontian, and Kulai – were hit by the floods.
All flood evacuees in Kulai were allowed to return home by Friday evening as the situation improved.
