Floods turn Chaah into 'island' as rescue workers try to reach flood victims

 

The town of Chaah and its surrounding areas resembled an ‘island’ after roads were inundated with flood waters, and at the same time it has become a challenge for agencies such as the Fire and Rescue Department to render assistance to flood victims. - NSTP/ AHMAD ISMAIL

SEGAMAT: The town of Chaah and its surrounding areas resembled an 'island' after roads were inundated with flood waters, and at the same time it has become a challenge for agencies such as the Fire and Rescue Department to render assistance to flood victims.

Many of the victims, including family members outside the area, had to turn to social media, especially Facebook, to request for help from the authorities.

Johor Fire and Rescue Department acting director, Assistant Fire Commissioner Mohd Rizal Buang, said that his team had received many calls from families who were worried about the safety of their family members who were still stranded in the area.

"Most of the victims, who asked for help via social media, are believed to be from Chaah, which is inundated by flood waters, making it difficult for us to enter the area, due to roads being flooded.

"We are now working hard to rescue flood victims, including considering three alternative ways to enter the area, which also includes using the existing railway track," he said when contacted by Bernama here today.

Mohd Rizal said two other methods were to use the land route through Labis and Muar via Felda Maokil as well as the air route by using a helicopter.

"The department's helicopter was preparing to fly from Subang, but was prevented by bad weather. At the latest, if the weather gets better, we will try to fly out sometime later today," he said.

In addition, the Johor Fire and Rescue Department, which has a strength of 300 personnel, is also receiving help now from four states namely Pahang, Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, Negri Sembilan, as well as the SMART (Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team) involving 60 members and officers, he said.

"Currently, we have identified 11 villages around the Chaah area that are surrounded by two rivers which has overflowed and we believe this has caused the (island) situation.

"We hope that if there are victims stranded there, they should use social media, and send their location. They should not panic but move to higher ground. We are trying our best," he said.

Earlier, a video went viral on social media of a woman pleading for help after her entire family had to climb onto the roof after their house in Chaah that was inundated by flood waters.

Bernama was also contacted by a woman asking for help to save her elderly parents who suffer from hypertension. – BERNAMA