Nation

Flood week recap based on news reports and social media

SATURDAY (Dec 18): Social media is abuzz with pictures and videos of people wading through floodwaters in Selangor, Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu.

Klang Valley residents, in particular, were caught off guard with some frantically looking for shelter after their houses and vehicles were submerged.

Many areas in Selangor, including the frequently-flooded neighbourhood of Taman Sri Muda in Shah Alam, report the worst floods in years.

Many roads become inaccessible to vehicles due to rising waters, leaving motorists stranded.

Flood victims who manage to save themselves told the New Straits Times that they were clueless about looking for relief centres.

Some places of worship open their doors to evacuees, in addition to the opening of temporary centres by authorities.

The armed forces said they could not wait for a directive from the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) to help evacuate flood victims to relief centres.

SUNDAY (Dec 19): People take to social media to highlight the plea of flood victims, who are waiting for assistance.

Some criticise the delay in rescue efforts in some areas. Others also question Nadma's role.

Some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and people make their way to flooded areas to rescue victims.

MONDAY (Dec 20): As floodwaters recede in certain areas, some people return to their homes to check on the damage caused by the floods and to clean up their residences. Many now face another crisis: a shortage of food and basic necessities.

TUESDAY (Dec 21): Rescue missions continue.

Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari denies claims that his administration is reluctant to rope in the armed forces to help in flood relief efforts.

He was reported as saying he had called the prime minister on Friday to seek urgent deployment of government assets for rescue operations.

The Health Ministry expresses concern about water and food-borne diseases due to the floods.

WEDNESDAY (Dec 22): Sirens wake residents up in flood-hit areas in Kajang, Bangi and Semenyih, alerting them of possible floods following early morning rain.

Social media videos show people coming out of their houses once the siren sounded, followed by a PA announcement by the authorities, informing them to take precautionary steps.

Clean up is being carried out by residents, government agencies and NGOs.

Private sector firms, including car companies, offer assistance like discounts for services and spare parts.

THURSDAY (Dec 23): Experts say the growing number of deaths from the floods show the country's lack of preparedness in handling disasters.

Many people ask leaders in federal and state levels to be accountable, with some calling for their resignation over the delay in deploying rescue teams and haphazard distribution of relief aid.

FRIDAY (Dec 24): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob orders cabinet ministers to get back to work to help people affected by the floods.

He instructs ministers abroad to return, while those who have not left the country for a vacation or other purposes should cancel their trips until the flood situation is addressed.

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