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
- Man posted doctored photos of Nik Aziz
- Heartbreaking wait for mum
- Sodomy II: Karpal claims judge lied (Updated)
- The world just got bigger
- Opposition leaders decry court’s ruling
- Thumbs-up for Najib
- Weather warning for Perak, Selangor and Sabah
- 5-0 for BN’s Zambry
- Saiful files report over death threat
- WWF: Orang asli being used
- 60 lose RM25mil in gold investment scam
- Canberra to set new skills list
- Sodomy II: Karpal claims judge lied (Updated)
- MAS offers CNY bargains
- ‘Flashing candy’ a health hazard: Health Ministry
- Fleet card cloning ring busted with arrest of trio
- WWF: Orang asli being used
- Vietnamese plumber fined RM10,000 over RM75 bribe
- Toyota puts the brakes on problem
- Manila joins hunt for Semporna gunmen
RSS
