News: Clean-up time in Batu Pahat

The Star, 9 November 2012

BATU PAHAT: Clean-up began at several villages in Parit Sulong, Seri Gading and Sungai Suloh as floodwaters receded in some places.

Villagers with the help from several agencies including the Civil Defence were involved in gotong-royong to clear water, mud, debris and damaged furniture from schools, old folk homes, houses and others.

The flood situation in the district improved yesterday and three more flood relief centres were closed.

As of 1pm, 823 people were still at eight relief centres in the district, down from 933 people in 11 relief centres as at 5pm on Wednesday.

For teachers in Sekolah Agama Sungai Suloh, there was still plenty of cleaning up ahead as the flood had caused too much damage.

Rashidah Mohd Suhadi said the school was flooded at about noon on Monday, with most of the things on the ground floor damaged.

“The flood water gushed into school within minutes and we were unable to move anything out of staff room and classrooms.

“Many things were damaged,” she said when met at the school.

Another teacher Jumiyati Surat said there were only four women staff members in the school and had to seek help from the Civil Defence personnel to remove heavier items like cabinet and cupboards.

Meanwhile, Farhan Ahmad, 22, said he and his family had been cleaning up their house in Kampung Sungai Suloh for the past three days.

“Water rose very fast and I only managed to bring my mother and father, who is wheelchair-bound, to safety. I also took with me some of the important documents, that’s about it,” he said.

Source: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/11/9/nation/12297554&sec=nation