KUALA LUMPUR – Despite last night’s press conference in which Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob promised immediate assistance for those affected by floods, thousands remain stranded across the greater Klang Valley area.
Ismail Sabri had said that immediate priority will be given to those who need to be evacuated.
“We cannot afford to wait. (Other types of aid) will be discussed later; what is important now is to rescue stranded victims first by moving them to safe ground,” he said at midnight.
However, numerous social media users are revealing that they remain in dire straits some eight hours after the prime minister’s promise was aired on national television.
One video seen making its rounds shows close to 30 people stuck on the rooftop of a surau in Hulu Langat.
#DaruratBanjir
— 미주 ? (@meejforshort) December 19, 2021
?Surau Al-Munir Taman Sri Nanding, Hulu Langat
dari malam sampai pagi tak dapat lagi bantuan. minta tolong ada OKU, baby semua dah kesejukkan. pic.twitter.com/XTJu1wuqPN
“From morning to night, we still haven’t received assistance. Please help, there’s people with disabilities and babies, and we're all cold,” the post reads.
Also from Hulu Langat are Khairul and Shamzari who, in a WhatsApp message marked as “forwarded many times”, beg for a boat to ferry their in-laws to safety.
“I am in a hospital,” the message read. “The water is at chest level in their home in Hulu Langat.”
The family of 12 includes two senior citizens and six children.
Meanwhile, many remain trapped on highways across the city.
An Instagram user with the handle @zanthesix shared that he has been stranded on the Grand Bersepadu Highway since Friday.
Without food or water for three days, he says that he is only 48 minutes away from safety, but the water is too high.
He adds that many lorries and vans have attempted to cross the flooded highway only to turn back or worse, get stuck halfway.
Yesterday, The Vibes received reports of people screaming as they had been stranded on the same stretch of the Federal Highway since 4pm.
The Vibes has received reports of people screaming for help as they are stranded on the Federal Highway near Batu Tiga, Shah Alam.
— TheVibes.com (@thevibesnews) December 18, 2021
If you have any information regarding this, please DM us. pic.twitter.com/npqvm19pg1
It is understood that many of these people remain stuck.
Meanwhile, netizens from diverse walks of life have taken to social media platforms, using the hashtag #DaruratBanjir to share information, coordinate aid, and assist each other in these trying times.
Twitter user @monoloqueen created a collaborative Google Document listing houses that require help in the Sri Muda area.
Minta tolong update! I have inserted the addresses based on your reply. But I will be away for 3 hours for online class. Please help update in the Google Doc! Please find the addresses according to turutan nombor 25/(?) to avoid duplication of addresses. https://t.co/l7lTTjwjST https://t.co/4XFYA0N36H
— Paradisu ? (@monoloqueen) December 19, 2021
The user began compiling the list at 4am with a brief message saying:
“Because I can’t sleep, I hope this list helps rescue teams find people needing rescue in Taman Sri Muda.”
At press time, close to 100 addresses on the list are still waiting for rescuers.
Attempts to contact the Selangor Fire and Rescue Department have been unsuccessful as of press time. – The Vibes, December 19, 2021
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