[VIDEO] Volunteers push on in Taman Sri Muda on 5th day post-flood

SHAH ALAM – Although the floodwaters in Taman Sri Muda here have further receded to about 2ft deep, volunteer operations along Jalan Gagah 25/99 have entered day five.

Many of them have set up temporary stations distributing food and clothes, rescuing animals, and providing basic medical care.

The presence of private boats has waned now that four-wheel-drive vehicles can enter the area and victims are able to make their way through the muddy waters.

However, the lack of government officials in the area has raised concerns among some of the volunteers.

One such individual is Zulkifli Nashriq, who arrived in Taman Sri Muda yesterday morning with a four-wheel-drive vehicle and some friends.

"We only see the public here working, we just saw one truck of Pertahanan Awam. There are still people trapped in their homes," said Nash Zulkiffli, a volunteer in Taman Sri Muda. pic.twitter.com/AYaSSfmKoa

— TheVibes.com (@thevibesnews) December 21, 2021

Zulkifli has been assisting victims getting in and out of flooded areas.

“We came from TTDI Jaya to help. Government presence is not felt much here as we only see regular people helping out.

“We’ve only seen one civil defence lorry so far,” he told The Vibes.

Similarly, Mayna Patel, who is with Demokrat Kebangsaan, volunteered at Taman Sri Muda by helping families find transport to shelters.

She also helped victims move their belongings from their inundated homes.

“For many of us, it is our first time here. So it’s shocking to see an area in the Klang Valley so devastated,” she said.

Mayba added that members of the public and volunteers have efficiently organised themselves and are working hard to help in any way they can.

Her team has also assisted victims in other places such as Dengkil.

Mayna said Demokrat Kebangsaan is conducting a crowdfunding campaign to supply victims with Covid-19 self-test kits.

“I think everyone feels that the government’s response was very slow and disappointing.

It doesn’t matter when the government comes in to help, because in the end, the rakyat can take care of each other.”

Meanwhile, Francis Yeoh from Majlis Tindakan Pengguna Negara has been helping victims since yesterday morning.

He had rented a lorry and sourced food donations to distribute to Taman Sri Muda residents.

Yeoh also thanked the media and social media users, as the way they made use of their respective platforms proved useful for sourcing donations.

He said it has been difficult volunteering in such a situation, given the weather conditions over the past couple of days.

“I think the biggest challenge is stamina. You have the heat and we don’t have time to drink.

“We almost forgot who we were until we reached home, and only then remembered to eat.” – The Vibes, December 22, 2021