Residents with families are seen evacuating their homes in a district at the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur.
Photo: The Guardian
KUALA LUMPUR - For the past four days, Malaysia has experienced a massive downpour that has affected the peninsular states of Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, and Perak. Continuous rain in the affected areas left motorists stranded in their vehicles overnight.
The seasonal monsoon that occurs in the country from October to March is the root of the torrential rain during the wet season. In fact, the nation’s geographical location has made it prone to flash floods due to its flat geography in the east and west coast of Malaysia. Furthermore, land and water erosion as the result of urbanization greatly impacts the overflowing waters around the country.
As a result, many Malaysian lives were tragically lost. Property damages such as crops and livestock were either destroyed or have been completely submerged. To top it off, inadequate water drainage systems that are unable to channel the sheer volume of water are a major factor of the event. Consequently, cases of insufficient shelter, food and clean water have increased significantly.
A flood victim being carried by civil defense officers in Kuala Lumpur.
Photo: BBC
As of Wednesday, 22nd December 2021, approximately 3 PM, the number of flood victims totals over 64 thousand, 14 thousand families, with the death toll sitting in the mid-tens over 8 affected states with nearly 400 active evacuation centers across the country according to NADMA (Agensi Pengurusan Bencana, Jabatan Perdana Menteri).
According to ReliefWeb, the Malaysian government has responded by utilizing SMART (Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team) involving 66,000 personnel (police, army, and firefighters) to support and evacuation processes. NADMA, the military, and several NGOs are working to respond effectively.
UPLIFT is an organization that provides 24-hour call services to utilize resources in order to raise funds and collect donations of essentials. In BAC’s PJ campus, they deliver the aid accompanied by volunteers to a number of flood relief centers in Klang Valley.
With Malaysians that quickly called the service for help, the organization delivered the essentials urgently on Monday and Tuesday. UPLIFT promises to help rebuild the lives of those who lost everything to the floods. Mr Raja Singham, Managing Director and Chairman of BAC Education Group, President of Pertubuhan Bangkit (UPLIFT) encourages everyone to care for each other and states that nobody should be left out.
“I must also mention how proud I am of our students and staff who rallied immediately and are working tirelessly to pack, deliver and manage logistics,” he said.
Mr Moo Tik Pin, Treasurer of Pertubuhan Bangkit (UPLIFT), says that this experience can teach us to appreciate everything that we have now.
Flood victims walking through the floodwaters on a highway in Shah Alam. Photo: News Straits Times
The event's aftermath resulted in families being displaced, houses being severely damaged, possessions, properties, as well as vehicles being destroyed, all of which contribute to the rising death toll.
The mental and physical anguish of the flood victims is far greater than depicted in the media.
“Within 24 hours of receiving the first call for help, we mobilised our resources to raise funds and collect donations of essential items at our PJ campus along with volunteers to deliver aid to various flood relief centres in the Klang Valley”, said Mr Raja Singham.
BAC Education Group, FreeMakan.com, and UPLIFT (Pertubuhan Bangkit) have joined forces to launch the Klang Valley FloodRelief 2021 Campaign starting today. Any contribution is greatly appreciated. Shelter, clothes, food, water and other essential items. By participating in this campaign, flood victims can be provided with immediate aid.
Cash donations can be transferred to PERTUBUHAN BANGKIT (UPLIFT ORGANIZATION)’s Maybank account (Account number: 564342627846). Donors must write “Klang Valley Flood Relief” in the ‘Recipient’s Reference’. Proof of transfer can be sent to Mr. Moo at 014-231-5528.
By: Aleena Sorraya Binti Abd Aziz