Floods in Rantau Panjang critical, lawmaker appeals for help
The MP for Rantau Panjang has appealed to the authorities to provide immediate assistance to the victims of severe flooding in her Kelantan constituency, which she said is at a critical level.
Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff (pic) said that the situation in the area was tense as there were not enough rescue boats to save people from the rising waters.
"I plead with the various quarters to come forward especially those with rescue boats to help victims trapped in the flooded areas.
"I am also told that some are seeking shelter on treetops and on roofs, so help is needed fast," she was quoted as saying by Harakahdaily.
The MP also also said power supply for the whole area has been cut off since two days ago.
"The only means of communications is though telephone and we need walkie-talkie units here to facilitate better communications with all quarters," she added.
"In such a situation, we need the cooperation of the various rescue bodies such as the Fire Department, the Civil Defence Department, the municipality, police and also the National Security Council," Siti Zailah added.
She also hoped that help can come before lives are lost.
Meanwhile, a photograph of the MP wading through almost waist-high waters whilst on the handphone had gone viral on social media since yesterday.
Meanwhile, Unit Amal Malaysia director-general Johari Osman said that its Pasir Mas and Rantau Panjang branches had opened operations centres to facilitate rescue efforts.
He said that an emergency meeting with the Emergency Disaster Management team headed by PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub would be held to discuss immediate actions to mitigate the flood situation in the east coast states.
Persatuan Ummah Sejahtera (PasMa) had also opened an operations centre at a hotel in Pasir Mas.
According to Kelantan's flood disaster portal, the Pasir Mas constituency, which covers Rantau Panjang, has the highest number of evacuees with 7,137 victims, of which 1,268 are housed in Sekolah Kebangsaan Gual Tinggi.
This is followed by 1,038 victims from Alor Pasir temporarily located at Sekolah Kebangsaan Kedai Tanjong while 945 are in Sekolah Kebangsaan Rantau Panjang II. – December 19, 2014.
