SHAH ALAM – Some of the flood victims thought to be stranded in Taman Sri Muda have actually refused rescue efforts to take them to a safer location, revealed Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican today.
Speaking to reporters at the Fire and Rescue Department Operations Centre in Persiaran Kemuning Prima, the housing and local government minister said that rescue teams are facing difficulties in convincing reluctant residents to leave their homes.
Apparently, many prefer to stay on the first floor of their homes or even on their rooftops instead of seeking proper shelter.
“The Fire and Rescue Department will deploy more rescuers to supply food to the residents because they are refusing to leave their homes.
“These residents have been stranded without food for 12 hours,” he said, adding that some of them refused to be placed at the relief centres for fear that they might get infected by the Covid-19 virus.
When asked on what action will be taken against them, Reezal said nothing can be done, but the rescuers will still try their level best to persuade them.
“We can’t do much if they refuse to leave. That is why the Social Welfare Department is providing food for them.”
There currently are three relief centres located in Alam Megah 1, Alam Megah 2, and in Section 15, which can accommodate 1,500 people. 41 boats from the authorities have been stationed at these centres.
Another issue plaguing rescue efforts is the fact that the stagnant floodwaters have not subsided – making it difficult to manage the situation seeing that there are 4,400 houses in Taman Sri Muda.
To date, there are 321 members from various agencies deployed to help the residents there.
There are 131 troops from the army, 11 sailors from the navy, six from the police, 20 from the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team, 10 from the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), 15 from Community Relief Society Malaysia, five from the Health Ministry, and 24 volunteer firefighters from non-governmental organisations, as well as several more agencies.
Reezal also called for information received by one department to be shared with others.
“Early alert systems must be shared. Any information received by one department must be shared to all relevant departments involved, especially pertaining to disasters,” he stressed, adding that the Fire and Rescue Department must be in a state of constant readiness.
In comparison to the east coast, he reiterated that this massive deluge was a first-time experience for many Selangor residents who were not prepared mentally and physically for such a disaster, unlike their fellow Malaysians in Kelantan, Terengganu, and Pahang, who face flooding on an annual basis.
Meanwhile Nadma director-general Datuk Aminuddin Hassim expressed gratitude towards several NGOs taking an active role in helping the victims.
“Not only the government, but NGOs have also been very helpful – they have been superb.
“These NGOs are very resourceful. They came with food, logistics, and everything – they were fully equipped.
“They even have their own boats,” he said.
Also present at the press conference was Selangor Fire and Rescue Department Director Norazam Khamis.
The crisis is caused by Typhoon Rai (Odette), which earlier pounded the Philippines, leading to a side “spin-off” 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 50kph and 60kph.
Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and six states – Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Melaka, Negri Sembilan and Selangor – have been worst-hit by floods.
The Vibes reported yesterday that a total of 220 relief centres were opened last night to accommodate some 15,000 evacuees. – The Vibes, December 20, 2021
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