Stranded flood victims still begging for help on social media despite PM’s claim

KUALA LUMPUR – During a press conference today, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob assured the public that all issues pertaining to the floods which hit the peninsula yesterday have been resolved. However, there are still victims stranded at their homes as well as desperate calls for food and other relief.

At the time of writing, messages are still being posted on Twitter by stranded flood victims seeking help.

Most of the social media posts uploaded by victims suggest there is still a significant number of them in Shah Alam who require rescuing.

Twitter user @Ariff_ibrahim posted a message at 3.31pm, revealing that his sister’s friend is still stranded in Kg Baru Hicom.

The victim had been waiting since yesterday and had not eaten.

tolong sesiapa kawan kakak saya dekat lorong 2B kampung baru hicom.
dari semalam tak makan? takde bantuan sampai.@khairulaming @brgsjks @Marchfoward @PDRMsia pic.twitter.com/3oUAxkTVsH

— Ariff_ibrahim??? (@Ariffibrahim7) December 19, 2021

Another post, which was uploaded at 5.06pm, showed an elderly man seated on top of a rubbish chute as floodwaters reached above knee level.

According to the post, he had been there all night.

Fortunately, he was rescued by people operating a boat, but his Toyota Vios was inundated with water.

Stranded uncle duduk satu malam situ.tinggalkan kereta vios dia.di sedih kereta masuk air pic.twitter.com/WSrfayy3Y4

— artdeep (?, ?) (@buynselljpeg) December 19, 2021

Meanwhile, @maggrious pleaded for her parents to be rescued.

It is understood that they had been stranded in Sri Muda, Shah Alam, where the water had risen to neck level.

Her post was uploaded at 5.14pm.

Water sampai level 2 pls send more aids my parents are still stranded there ??? https://t.co/kQqzKNb7ib

— Maggie C. (@maggrious) December 19, 2021

According to another message, posted at the exact same time, residents at Pangsapuri Damai in Shah Alam are still stuck and have not been able to leave.

Victims there are in desperate need of dry foods and milk formula for babies.

Pangsapuri Damai, Seksyen 25 Shah Alam stranded tak dapat pegi mana-mana. Perlu bantuan makanan kering dan susu untuk baby jugak

— Hamba (@HambaMusic) December 19, 2021

There is also @nikmanadli, who is currently overseas, but whose family members are experiencing the effects of the floods.

According to his tweets, his family is only facing power outages, but he pointed out that there are toddlers and babies still stranded on rooftops and cars.

“My family only experiencing blackouts so far, but nearby areas, so much worse… moms with toddlers/babies stranded on roofs/cars, elderly trapped, dire… We couldn’t reach them to help. And very, very cold,” @nikmanadli tweeted.

My family only experiencing blackouts so far, but nearby areas, so much worse… moms with toddlers/babies stranded on roofs/cars, elderly trapped, dire… We couldnt reach them to help. And very very cold.

— Nikman Adli Nor Hashim (@nikmanadli) December 19, 2021

At 5.11pm, @essentricx blasted out an SOS for Nurazura Ramli.

The social media user followed advice to refrain from using addresses and uploaded coordinates instead.

It is apparently easier for rescuers to locate using GPS coordinates given address signposts have been submerged.

Based on the coordinates given, the victim was stranded near Taman Sri Muda.

coordinate (3.03413° N, 101.54231° E)

Nurazura ramli
Mohon bantuan 013-2902005 / 013-6328876

STILL STRANDED #DaruratBanjir ‼️‼️?? https://t.co/ob9gkEJF90

— jungkook lover⁷❕ (@essentricx) December 19, 2021

Similarly, other users took the opportunity to upload crucial flood disaster mitigation advice.

What to do if your car is inundated by floodwaters

One such person is Subang MP Wong Chen, who advised residents on what to do if a car goes underwater or is inundated by rising waters.

Here are the key points of what he said:

>> Do not start your car’s engine as doing so will allow water to enter the engine, causing further damage.

>> Instead, unlock the car door manually using your keys, then push the car to a dry area with the gear in neutral of course.

>> Then dismantle the battery terminal and get it towed to a car workshop immediately.

>> Immediately call your car insurance company.

Public Service Announcement (1/3)

If your car is submerged underwater, here is what you should do:
1. Do not start your car's engine, doing that will allow water to infiltrate the engine causing further damage.

— Wong Chen (@WongChenPKR) December 19, 2021

Earlier today, the prime minister held a press conference to announce actions taken by the government to deal with the disastrous floods that hit the country. 

Due to various complaints last night concerning stranded flood victims, Ismail assured that all problems that arose yesterday have been resolved. 

The crisis is reportedly caused by Typhoon Rai (Odette), which earlier pounded the Philippines with force, leading to a side “spinoff” to sweep towards Peninsular Malaysia, wreaking havoc here.

Dubbed “Tropical Depression 29”, it is categorised as a rapidly rotating storm system commonly referred to as a tropical cyclone that sustains winds between 50km/h and 60km/h.

Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and six states – Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Melaka, Negri Sembilan and Selangor – have been worst hit by floods. A total of 220 relief centres were opened last night to accommodate some 15,000 evacuees. – The Vibes, December 19, 2021