Selangor MB: More boats to aid Taman Sri Muda, Bukit Kemuning flood victims

 

Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari has pledged to send more boats to evacuate flood victims stranded in Bukit Kemuning and Sri Muda.

He assured that the rescue process will carry on to evacuate all stranded victims. 

"I have been informed of the critical situation in Taman Sri Muda, Section 25 in Shah Alam. All suitable assets like boats have been ordered to assist in the evacuation of flood victims.

“I understand that the number of armed forces personnel have also been increased to assist our efforts,” Amirudin tweeted late last night.

His Twitter feed also captured a video of Amirudin wading through the waters at Sri Muda.

"I was in Taman Sri Muda with the rescue team helping to rescue the stranded victims.

"The challenge faced, apart from the water that has not receded, is the pitch dark atmosphere and abandoned cars making it difficult to move," he said.

Saya di Taman Sri Muda malam ini bersama pasukan penyelamat membantu menyelamatkan mangsa yang terkandas. Cabaran yang dihadapi selain dari air yang masih belum surut ialah suasana gelap gelita serta kereta yang terbengkalai menyukarkan pergerakan. pic.twitter.com/4NMBulOHwU

— Amirudin Shari (@AmirudinShari) December 19, 2021

Bernama reported that telecommunications connectivity in the area had been cut off and it was shrouded in darkness due to the lack of electricity following the floods.

Last night, Malaysiakini reported that many Taman Sri Muda residents stranded by the flash floods said they had yet to receive help.

Instead, they had to turn to volunteers, sending out appeals in residents’ groups on social media.

The appeals include calling for food and baby formula, asking for medication for the elderly or asking for someone to check in on home-alone children as their parents were stranded away from home.

Many also said that their mobile phone battery was dangerously low and they may soon not be able to communicate.

Residents groups have been coordinating efforts to collect home addresses and GPS locations in order to reach those in need of help.

However, some volunteers said they were having trouble moving around in the dark over the floodwaters.

'No coordination' 

Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming who visited the area yesterday afternoon said that when he first arrived he only saw volunteer boats.

"When the Civil Defence Force and Fire & Rescue boats arrived, they focused on the main road only, as the big motorboats could not enter the small road for fear of getting stuck or hit by a fence that was submerged in water.

"There was no direct coordination between Civil Defence boats, firefighters and volunteers. There appeared to be no main person (in charge).

"There may still be more victims affected but we do not know their specific location," he added.

Ong was also upset at reports of private boats used to sell food to those still waiting to be rescued.

"To me, this should not have happened. Everyone deserves to be saved. It's not safe to wait at home," he said. - Mkini