[Hat Yai Flood] UniMAP Graduate Stranded in Disaster Area, Misses Sunday Graduation Ceremony

(Thailand, 23rd) The 25-year-old graduate Haniswati, who was scheduled to attend the 20th convocation of Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) on Sunday (23rd), was unable to return to the country as she and her family were stranded in flood-hit Hat Yai, Thailand, causing her long-awaited graduation day to fall through.

Haniswati told the Daily News that she and her family had driven from Kluang to Bangkok for a trip on the 18th of this month. On their return journey after the trip, they encountered days of continuous rain.

"We were already on our way back to Malaysia, but as we passed through Prachuap, it kept raining non-stop, and it didn't stop even when we reached Hat Yai."

She said that on Saturday (22nd) morning, they temporarily stayed at a hotel near Prince of Songkla University, hoping to wait for the reopening of the Thailand–Malaysia border.

"Unexpectedly, the heavy rain caused flooding, the water level around the hotel rose rapidly, and the whole road was nearly invisible—we were trapped within the hotel premises, unable to move."

Although the hotel's high ground kept them safe for now, Haniswati said that all roads to the Malaysia–Thailand border were already submerged.

"We tried all the nearby roads, but none of them were passable. Of course, I'm disappointed about missing the graduation ceremony, but we can only accept reality now. Still, I believe the relevant authorities will eventually help us get out."

On the other hand, UniMAP Vice Chancellor Dato' Zaliman confirmed that several students from the university were stranded due to the Hat Yai flood, some of whom originally planned to attend the third session of Sunday's morning convocation.

He said the university remains in contact with the stranded students and advised them to seek help from the Consulate General of Malaysia in Songkhla if they encounter difficulties.

He added that the university is closely monitoring the disaster situation and students' safety, and will do their best to assist them in returning to campus as soon as possible.