Penang extends help to flood-ravaged Klang

GEORGE TOWN – Penang is preparing to lend a helping hand to Klang to overcome the effects of the massive floods that have hardly hit Selangor and the Klang Valley.

Penang Environment and Welfare exco Phee Boon Poh said the state is discussing with authorities in Klang to transport food supplies, boats and volunteers to help victims.

“Klang town is choked with flood waters and people are stranded in their houses. Some are suffering without any aid as some areas are cut off from public access.

“Drinking water will be dispatched to the affected victims. However, it will take more than 10 hours to get to the affected areas as roads to there are blocked by debris and the authorities have also closed the access roads.” he told The Vibes

“They have asked for drinking water and we are studying the logistics to send the boats first and other needy items immediately,” he said.

Phee said Penang has handled such a situation during the massive flood in 2017, which became a lesson for the state to handle flood situations.

He said support from Penang is also being arranged for Kelantan that has been struck by floods as well.

Non-governmental organisations such as Tzu Chi Foundation Malaysia and the Penang-based One Hope Charity and Welfare, as well as several other voluntary groups, are involved in handling the food, welfare, safety and rescue aspects in the operations, he added.

As for the situation in Penang, Phee said a thorough study has been conducted on the weather and the state is ‘lucky’ to not face the full wrath of Typhoon Rai which hit the Philippines although there was abnormal rainfall here.

“However, we want the people in Penang to be on the lookout for any abnormal rains in the next few days as long hours of non-stop rain will cause a similar situation here, as has happened in Selangor and the Klang Valley.

“Our staff have handled the November 2017 floods, which became a training ground for us, and we are well trained and coordinated to handle any eventuality,” Phee said. – The Vibes, December 19, 2021