Aid for flood-hit Taman Sri Muda pour in as rescue efforts intensify

SHAH ALAM: More residents in flood-hit Taman Sri Muda in Section 25 here were rescued today as sunny skies brought further respite and floodwaters began to recede.

Bernama spotted residents venturing out for the first time since floods ravaged their homes as the water level dropped further which allowed them to safely wade their way out.

However, not everyone was that fortunate as floodwaters in some areas appeared to be stagnant and remained at chest level, prompting efforts to rescue stranded victims or for those stuck on the upper floors, basic necessities to be delivered to them by boat.

Khairol Norman Abdul Manap, 35, said he could not bear watching the dire situation in Taman Sri Muda from the comforts of his home in Kuala Selangor and decided that he wanted to be part of the rescue operations.

Borrowing four of his employer's boats, he and a friend headed to Shah Alam and used them to rescue as many flood victims as they could, senior citizens, children and the sickly in particular.

"Alhamdulillah, we have made at least 40 trips to rescue stranded victims since 7 pm yesterday.

"Yes, it's tiring, but there is always a sense of relief when you get to help and rescue those in trouble," he told Bernama here today.

Ahmad Fadhil Zafri, 38, from D' Kayangan in Section 13 here said residents from his housing area bandied together to distribute food to the Taman Seri Muda victims today.

"We knew that they have had no food supplies in the past few days so we try to help as much as we can," he said.

Bernama checks also found that a lot of aid was being channeled by security forces and non-governmental organisations to the rescue base at the Taman Seri Muda bridge.

For Taman Seri Muda resident Mohd Shahrin Redzuan Mohd Roslan, 27, the flood that hit his housing area is the worst experienced in 10 years, made even worse when residents lost electricity supply and telecommunication network coverage.

Recalling his own nightmarish experience, he said floodwaters inundated the ground floor of his house very quickly, forcing his family to flee upstairs.

"Both our cars also went underwater. It was the same in most areas of Taman Seri Muda," he said.

As for S.Suresh Kumar, 23, the flood this time around was a 'nightmare' not easily forgotten.

He said the family went through anxious moments, especially as his brother was epileptic and had a strict medication regime to follow.

-- BERNAMA