![[PHOTOS] Taman Sri Muda falls to a massive flood again after 26 years](https://media.thevibes.com/images/uploads/covers/December_2021/sri_muda_flood/_large/10.jpg)
SHAH ALAM – On Christmas Day, 1995, I was assigned to cover the massive floods that hit Taman Sri Muda here. At that time, I was just a junior photographer.
Armed with a camera and a few rolls of film, I waded through the floodwaters to get nearer to my photograph’s subjects. A few places were inaccessible as waters were about 5m high.
That disaster forced the state government – under the leadership of Barisan Nasional – and the then Shah Alam Municipal Council, and the Irrigation and Drainage Department took action to widen the Klang River after clearing the debris and existing rubbish in the area after the flood.
Residents must have thought that was the last massive flood to hit their homes.
But nearly 26 years later, Taman Sri Muda is staring at a similar predicament, with houses inundated and residents being stuck on rooftops for at least three days.
It is reported that more than 15,000 victims have been placed in hundreds of temporary relief centres throughout Selangor, and sadly, 21 lives have been lost.
As I was going through images captured by The Vibes’ photographer, SADIQ ASYRAF, déjà vu hit me as it felt like I was staring at images I had captured 26 years ago.
They were the same scenes of grief, helplessness, anger, and untold devastation.
This time, most of the flood victims were angry with the delay of rescue and relief efforts by the federal and state governments, resulting in the rakyat going to ground zero to render help.
While the announcement of financial aid might have brought some relief, victims were again faced with red tape as they were told to submit forms with police reports, copies of their electricity/water bills and clear photos of property damage before funds can be disbursed. – The Vibes, December 22, 2021
