An Armed Forces vehicle driving through rising waters in Kota Tinggi. - Photo: Bernama
SEGAMAT: Chaah town and its surrounding areas resemble an "island" after roads were inundated with flood waters and it has become a big challenge for agencies including the Fire and Rescue Department to assist flood victims.
Many of the flood victims, including family members outside the area, had to turn to social media, especially Facebook, to request help from the authorities.
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Johor acting Fire and Rescue director Assistant Fire Commissioner Mohd Rizal Buang said that his team had received many calls from families who were worried about the safety of family members who were still stranded in the area.
"Most of the victims who asked for help via social media, are believed to be from Chaah, which is inundated with flood waters, making it difficult for us to enter the area, due to the roads being flooded.
"We are now working hard to rescue flood victims, including considering three alternative ways to enter the area, which also includes using the existing railway," he said when contacted by Bernama here Wednesday (March 1).
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Mohd Rizal said two other methods were to use the land route through Labis and Muar via Felda Maokil as well as the air route using a helicopter.
"The Fire and Rescue helicopter was preparing to fly from Subang, but was prevented by bad weather. At the latest, if the weather gets better, we will try to fly out (at 6pm) today," he said.
In addition, Johor Fire and Rescue, which has a strength of 300 personnel, is also receiving help now from four states namely Pahang, Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, Negri Sembilan as well as the Smart (Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team) involving 60 members and officers, he said.
"Currently, we have identified 11 villages around the Chaah area that are surrounded by two rivers that are overflowing and we believe this has caused the (island) situation.
"We hope that if there are victims (stranded there), they should use social media, and send their location. They should not panic but move to higher ground. We are trying our best," he said.
Earlier, a video went viral on social media of a woman pleading for help after her entire family had to climb onto the roof after their house in Chaah was inundated by flood waters.
Bernama was also contacted by a woman asking for help to save her elderly parents who have hypertension.
Bernama reporter Kamarul Halim M Kamal, who was at the location, managed to get out of the area at about 2pm Wednesday after being advised by the police about the flood situation there. - Bernama
