KUALA LUMPUR: The government has mobilised its machinery into flood-hit areas to facilitate the safe evacuation as well as to distribute food, medicines and supplies to victims.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said as of 11pm last night, a total of 188 temporary evacuation centres (PPS) have been set up nationwide in six flood-affected states – Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Melaka, Negri Sembilan and Selangor.
"A total of 11,384 victims from 4,500 families have been identified in these states. Thirty-nine PPS have been opened in Kelantan, two in Terengganu, 84 in Pahang, nine in Melaka, nine in Negri Sembilan and 45 in Selangor.
"All aid and assets are managed and have been mobilised by the state and central disaster management committees," he said during a press conference on the flood situation here tonight.
The operation, he said involved a total of 66,015 enforcement agency personnel from the police force, armed forces, Fire and Rescue Department, Civil Defence Force, Public Works Department, Social Welfare Department, district offices and local authorities.
He said the authorities are prepared with the rescue operation in flooded areas as a total of 5,731 PPS are available nationwide, which can accommodate 1,628,512 victims.
He said 500 volunteers from the Keluarga Malaysia Squad have also been mobilised to help the victims stationed at the PPS nationwide.
"There are 521 Social Welfare Department forward operating bases available nationwide to supply necessities for victims at the PPS."
Ismail Sabri urged residents in flood-affected areas in need of help or any kind of assistance to contact the National Disaster Command Centre (NDCC) hotline at 0380642400.
"The centre is stationed at the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) office here (Puchong) where personnel from all the relevant agencies will be handling the calls and complaints."
The prime minister said he has instructed the armed forces to deploy more personnel to Selangor, where the situation is chaotic due to the unexpected severe flooding.
"The situation in Selangor is a little chaotic unlike in other (flood-prone) states (Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Melaka, Negri Sembilan), where they would have anticipated the floods and thus be prepared earlier. Severe flooding is a rare occurrence in the Klang Valley."
However, he said the government is prepared, adding that as of 10.45pm, 45 PPS have been set up to accommodate a total of 3,826 victims from 2,551 families in Selangor.
"A total of 452 vehicles and logistical assets from various agencies including the Civil Defence Force, police, Fire and Rescue Department, Health Ministry, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, People's Volunteer Corps and Social Welfare Department have been mobilised to assist the victims, comprising of 2,817 personnel.
"I have also called on the inspector-general of police to mobilise the police force to all the flood-hit areas to help those stranded, especially in Selangor.
"I have seen the postings on social media and have also received direct messages from those stranded, requesting for assistance. All these information have been collected and sent to the respective agencies to deploy aid.
"InsyaAllah (God willing), we will try to reach all those in need tonight. There are also people stranded in a bus for almost eight hours and I have notified the Fire and Rescue Department to help them. We have sent food and medical supplies."
Ismail Sabri advised residents in the flood-hit areas to be extra careful and contact the hotline for help.
"Please be careful when travelling or moving from one place to another as we do not know how deep the floodwaters are. The authorities are still gathering details of those stranded or trapped at home or other places.
"Contact the hotline and we will deploy aid."
Ismail Sabri said the government's focus is now on rescuing the people and matters concerning funding and monetary aid to prevent future flooding will be discussed later.