{
  "id": 15370872,
  "title": "One night away, family returns to flood-hit home in Bukit Mertajam",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/one-night-away-family-returns-to-flood-hit-home-in-bukit-mertajam",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-18T07:27:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/regional/2026/10/1558233/one-night-away-family-returns-flood-hit-home-bukit-mertajam"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In the flood-ravaged Bukit Mertajam, a family's one-night stay in their hometown turned into a harrowing experience. Ab Ghani Abdullah, 49, recounted his distress upon returning to Kampung Kubang Semang only to find his house submerged by flash floods. With continuous rain, he had moved his vehicles to higher ground but left his motorcycle behind. Upon his return, Ab Ghani and his family realized the gravity of the situation when they received a call from a friend warning of rising water around their home. They rushed back to the village, around 10 pm, but found themselves stuck at the relief centre as the road leading to their house was submerged approximately a meter deep in water.\n\nAb Ghani, who has lived in the area for six years, has faced four flood incidents that have caused property damage and other perils. A large python was spotted around the house, adding to the peril. The family, including Ab Ghani's younger sibling with disabilities, is now sheltering at the relief centre with four other victims from 10 families. Among them is 37-year-old factory manager Khairun Najwa Md Noor, who brought her 78-year-old cancer-stricken mother to the centre for safety and easier access to medical treatment due to the rapid rise in water levels and the threat of short circuits. Seberang Perai Tengah district officer and district disaster management committee chairman Datuk Kamarul Haizal Koderat confirmed that 36 victims had been evacuated to the relief centre at Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Penanti.",
  "summary": "BUKIT MERTAJAM: A security guard's quick trip to his hometown turned into panic after learning that his house in Kampung Kubang Semang here was inundated by flash floods yesterday.",
  "key_points": [
    "Family returns to flood-hit home in Bukit Mertajam after one night away.",
    "Ab Ghani Abdullah recounts harrowing experience with submerged house.",
    "36 victims evacuated to relief centre at Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Penanti."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Recurring flash floods in Bukit Mertajam force vulnerable residents into relief centres, highlighting the persistent threat of property damage and physical danger posed by rapidly rising water levels.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}