Malaysians in Townsville, Queensland, safe despite severe floods

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysians residing in Townsville in Queensland are also affected by the floods, which have turned streets into rivers and forced thousands of residents to abandon their homes in northeast Australia.

Dr Syahira Johan, a Malaysian who is currently working at a hospital there, said that all Malaysians they know were so far safe.

“Some of them are confined to their houses as flood waters have submerged roads. One family is without electricity but are safe and currently staying with us.

“A bunch of us have evacuated our homes due to the flooding and are currently living on higher grounds. But so far everyone that we know is safe,” she said when contacted by New Straits Times Press today.

She said Malaysians residing there were medical students from James Cook University as well as some who were working there.

Dr Syahira said the people of Townsville were experiencing unprecedented flooding with non stop rain since last week.

“There have been multiple flash flood warnings as well. The dam is over 200 per cent and they have opened the spill gates which has added more water to the suburbs,” she said.

She said they had also contacted the High Commission of Malaysia in Canberra, to let them know that they were safe.

“They asked if there was anything they could do to help but right now the roads to get here and the airport was closed yesterday There really isn’t much they can do for us right now.

“We are all keeping safe and dry and trying to weather the floods and rain,” she said.

Dr Syahira also said the Malaysians there had created a WhatsApp group of the Malaysians they know to update on each other’s situation from time to time.

“We have also asked them to add their family members to the group to update our situation, especially since parts of the town are experiencing power cuts. This is our centralised way of keeping in contact with Malaysians we know,” she said.

On a Twitter post yesterday, the High Commission of Malaysia in Canberra said that it was in touch with Malaysians in that area.

“Townsville Flooding. We are keeping in touch with Malaysians in that area. All are safe. The Australian authorities are on the ground in full force to ensure the safety of all residents,” it said.

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