Water rises... but for Ridzwan, it's Messi first, evacuation second

 

As floodwaters began to rise inside his house at Kampung Alur Ladang in Kuantan, Pahang last night, Mohd Ridzwan Ismail, 58, did not have the heart to move to the evacuation centre.

This is because he could not bear to miss the World Cup final between Argentina and France, which was a nail-biting match.

Even as the waters reached 0.3m when the match started at 11pm, the diehard Argentina and Lionel Messi fan stayed put in his home until half-time.

He was alone because his wife, Wan Nor Azian Wan Ibrahim, 61, decided not to flirt with danger and left for the evacuation centre much earlier.

“I stayed back to watch the World Cup.

“When I saw the water rising (higher), I moved to a relative’s house, not too far from my house, to watch the match until the end,” he told Berita Harian when met at the evacuation centre in Beserah today.

Ridzwan watched the final, which went into extra time and was later decided on penalties, until the prize presentation ceremony concluded before making his way to the evacuation centre.

“Despite the unfortunate flooding, I am satisfied that Argentina won the World Cup and my favourite player Lionel Messi scored in the match,” he added.

According to Ridzwan, floodwater began to seep into his house at about 9pm through the kitchen door and by 2am, it was one metre deep.

“This is not the first time. My house gets flooded every year. But I think this is the worst so far,” he added.

Since the water was not rising at a rapid rate, Ridzwan said he was not too concerned about watching the match.

He hoped the authorities would do something to resolve the problem. - Mkini