Tough to evacuate flood victims from densely populated Shah Alam - IGP
The high population density in Shah Alam has posed a challenge for the police to evacuate stranded flood victims, according to Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani.
"In Shah Alam, the victims live in the single-storey or double-storey terrace houses and high-rise apartments.
"This is pretty much different from other...
The high population density in Shah Alam has posed a challenge for the police to evacuate stranded flood victims, according to Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani.
"In Shah Alam, the victims live in the single-storey or double-storey terrace houses and high-rise apartments.
"This is pretty much different from other states, such as Kelantan, Pahang and Terengganu.
"The evacuation process is easier to be carried out in these states due to the low population density.
"We faced a huge challenge in evacuating the victims initially," the top cop told a press conference in Shah Alam today.
Acryl Sani also acknowledged the lack of coordination among various government agencies in carrying rescue and relief works following the heavy flood last Saturday.
"Taking Taman Sri Muda, Shah Alam (as an example), we have found that coordination among the agencies was slow at the early stage.
"However, right after the second day, we have mobilised and coordinated every action taken by these agencies. And at that point, we were informed that the flood situation was at a dangerous level," he said.
Criticised for poor response
More than 60,000 people were displaced and evacuated by the floods that hit Klang Valley and five other states since last Saturday.
The Environment and Water Ministry said the amount of rain in the Klang Valley since late Friday (Dec 17) has equalled the average rainfall for a month.
Its secretary-general Zaini Ujang said this was something beyond expectations and only occurs once every 100 years.
The death toll in the nationwide flooding increased to 37 and 10 people were still missing as of yesterday.
Malaysians, particularly those who were stranded in their flood-affected homes in Klang Valley, criticised the government for poor response to the crisis and lack of assistance given to them.
Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob noted that there were weaknesses in the coordination efforts for the massive flood and promised improvement, going forward.
On another development, Acryl Sani looked surprised when he was told that victims affected by the flood were unable to get through the emergency call to seek help.
"It should be functioning all the time and this is the first time I am hearing about this. I will get further information on the matter," he said.
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