INSPECTOR-GENERAL of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani has admitted to a delay in flood rescue operations on the first day in Taman Sri Muda, Shah Alam.

He said the higher population density of flood-stricken areas in Selangor poses different challenges compared to dealing with similar disasters in the East Coast, which more commonly experiences floods during the year-end monsoon season.

“Co-ordination of all organisations was quite slow in the early stages for the flooding in Shah Alam. However, after the second day, we were able to mobilise all agencies.

“In Shah Alam, most of the flood victims live in terrace houses and flats where the population density is different from in Kelantan, Pahang and Terengganu,” he said at a press conference in Sri Muda today.

Location and population density affects rescue, relief work and relocation of evacuees, he added.

Besides, Selangor, many other states are also flooded. Acryl said a total of 66,015 rescuers from various agencies have been deployed.

Official response to the floods was slow after continuous and unusually heavy rain from Friday to early Sunday, leading to much anger directed at the government.

In areas such as Taman Sri Muda, stranded residents said they saw no one from government agencies, only civilian volunteers who came in their own kayaks and small boats.

“Government agencies are very indebted to all the civil society groups and residents’ associations who are active in helping the flood victims,” Acryl said.

“I hope you will continue to help government agencies in a disaster situation like this,” he said. – December 23, 2021.