Friday December 22, 2006
Shops run out of essential goods in panic hoarding
KUALA LUMPUR: Most shops and supermarkets in Segamat have run out of essential goods after residents rushed to stock up on finding the town cut off by floods on Wednesday.
Long-time Segamat resident Dr Ng Chai Bing said the stores were inundated with customers and by yesterday morning, most food items and all bottled water had run out.
“There was a bit of panic because many people had heard rumours of the situation becoming worse,” he said, adding that talk of a dam in Pahang bursting had also made many worried.
The authorities in Pahang later denied that this had occurred.
Dr Ng, who operates a private clinic in town, added that many people had been stranded in villages around Segamat, totally cut off by the floods for at least two days and could only be rescued yesterday.
“This could mean that they have been without any sustenance for about two days,” he said when contacted by telephone.
Dr Ng said he had treated many patients for diarrhoea, vomiting and other water-borne diseases.
“There were also many who came with injuries,” he said, adding that he had enough medicine to last three months.
According to him, the road to Labis and Gemas became passable to heavy vehicles yesterday evening.
In Kluang, while the authorities were busy evacuating flood victims, a group of four-wheel-drive enthusiasts also helped out using their expertise in off-road driving.
Members from the Kluang 4X4 Club braved flooded streets to help ferry stranded victims to relief centres.
“We have eight 4WD vehicles and a boat,” club president P.Y. Kong said. “So far, we have helped rescue 15 people trapped in their homes.”
News Poll
- Court ruling takes bite out of local council summonses
- Chin Peng apologises for death of innocents
- Girl and stepmum held over bid to kill first wife
- Biggest karaoke session a blast
- New evidence on MCA snoop squad case arrives at doorstep
- Teoh’s body exhumed for second autopsy today
- Victim’s dad nabs kidnapper
- Foreigner falls to her death from condominium
- Malaysians must get regular dental checks
- Puad faces flak over ‘use Bahasa only’ remark
- Court ruling takes bite out of local council summonses
- Malaysians must get regular dental checks
- Chin Peng apologises for death of innocents
- No licence to try offenders
- Big impact in ‘small’ man’s win
- New evidence on MCA snoop squad case arrives at doorstep
- Weapons drawn for new battle
- Johor set to be a medical hub
- Joy for 2,500 housebuyers as SPNB takes over project
- Teoh's second autopsy started at noon
RSS
