RISE IN SELANGOR EVACUEES CAUSED BY FLOODWATERS FROM NORTH, SAYS AMIRUDIN

SHAH ALAM, Nov 29 (Bernama) -- Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the rising number of evacuees in the state is due to floodwaters flowing from northern Selangor to Kuala Langat and Sepang. 

Amirudin said that, as of now, 4,463 people are being housed at 33 temporary relief centres (PPS) in Sabak Bernam, Kuala Selangor, Klang, Kuala Langat and Sepang.

“To speed up the draining of water into the rivers, the Selangor Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS) has installed four pumps in Kuala Selangor to prevent stagnation. An additional six pumps will be deployed tomorrow to speed up the process,” he said in a statement today.

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He added that the state government is mobilising 5,000 volunteers to strengthen recovery efforts, to be deployed within 24 hours of the floodwaters receding.

"This is to help residents clean their homes once they return from the relief centres," he said.

Separately, Amirudin stated that the state government will be in contact with the family of a police officer who went missing last night after being swept away by strong currents, to keep them updated on the search and rescue operation.

“The state government is also prepared to offer all possible assistance. I pray that he will be found and rescued,” he said.

The officer is believed to have drowned while trying to swim to safety from his Perodua Bezza, which had skidded into a flooded ditch near Klinik Desa Giching, Sepang, last night.

Amirudin also thanked all the agencies involved for their tireless work over the past week under the leadership of Selangor State Secretary, Datuk Dr Ahmad Fadzli Ahmad Tajuddin, and district officers.

“This includes the State Disaster Management Unit, Selangor Water Management Authority (LUAS), Social Welfare Department, JPS, Fire and Rescue Department, the Royal Malaysia Police, volunteer teams, and state executive councillors,” he said.

-- BERNAMA