PM tours flooded south amid huge relief effort

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi toured the flood-hit south Tuesday as boats, trucks and helicopters ferried supplies to nearly 100,000 people displaced by the crisis.

However, with the rains beginning to ease, evacuees started returning to their homes, and the number of people sheltering in relief centres fell to 96,053, down from a peak of some 110,000 on Monday, officials said.

Abdullah travelled by helicopter and boat to reach the worst-hit district of Kota Tinggi in southern Johor state, which is almostly completely submerged. There, he will meet evacuees at a relief centre, the state Bernama news agency said.

"It's improving, not fast but slow ... At the moment it's not raining. It's cloudy and we anticipate many will go back to their houses today," a police spokesman told AFP.

The number of evacuees in central Pahang state, also affected by rains, stood at 3,933, while eastern Sabah state on Borneo island has 3,532 displaced, officials said.

Police at Johor's flood operations centre said aid supplies were reaching all affected areas, while reports said boats, trucks and helicopters were taking food, blankets, clothing and other essential supplies to victims.

The escalation in the relief effort comes after criticism that evacuation centres were overwhelmed, and that some were forced to ration food supplies.

Health officials are also on the lookout for waterborne and other contagious diseases after two people in Johor died of leptospirosis which is spread by animal urine.

The meteorology department Tuesday eased back its rain warning for Johor and Pahang from its highest "red stage" alert, instead forecasting scattered light to moderate rains until Saturday.

However, heavy rains are expected to continue in parts of Sabah until Saturday, it said.

Eighteen people have died so far in the floods, including 15 in Johor in the first wave of the crisis, which hit in December.


JOHOR FLASH FLOODS UPDATE

(Lite FM : 16-Jan-2007 5:45:00 PM)

Kota Tinggi

* All roads heading into Kota Tinggi such as:
* Jalan Ulu Tiram
* Jalan Kulai
* Jalan Kluang
* Johor Bahru

Mersing

* Jalan Sungai Lambong Kancil
* Jalan MERC Sungai Meranti
* KM135 - KM137 Jalan Jemaluang - Kahang
* KM23 Jalan Nitar - Kluang
* Jalan Bulang - Endau
* KM28 & KM34 Jalan Mersing - Kluang

Segamat

* Jalan Cha'a / Yong Peng

Batu Pahat

* KM9 - KM13 Parit Hji Jalil - Parit Abdul Rahman

Muar

* Bukit Kepong - Labis (heavy vehicles only)

Kluang

* Jalan Kahang - Mersing
* Jalan Paloh - Yong Peng
* Ladang Sungai Taweng, Paloh
* Kahang - Tmn Negara

Pontian

* No Closure

(Note : All Roads/Areas Listed Are Inaccessible To All Vehicles Unless Mentioned)


Ahmad A Talib : "Doctors need help from other doctors"

1 - The district hospital are stretched to the maximum, especially when their own staff are also affected by the flood.
2 - There is an urgent need for doctors who are familiar or specialising in family medicine, A&E (admission and emergency).
3 - Paediatricians are also needed since child care requires special skills and expertise
4 - The doctors are working round the clock and they need all possible assistance as fast as possible.

Individuals can also call Yayasan Salam at 03-79584021 if they wish to volunteer. Yayasan Salam have plenty of experience in disaster relief, especially having sent volunteers to tsunami areas such as Nias and Acheh, and earthquake spots such as Jogjakarta.

Volunteers are also needed to help children in relief centres. Since they can't go to school, these children have nothing to do and we are more than happy to help volunteers who can spare some time to be with them.

DATIN HALIMAH MOHD SAID, Kuala Lumpur wrote to NST.

Donate to flood victims instead

CAN the organisers of Visit Malaysia Year 2007 stop the fireworks display at Taman Titiwangsa and channel the money to the flood victims in Johor?

Can they be more sensitive to the plight of unfortunate people and not go overboard with tourist attractions?

At times like this, when the horrors of a natural disaster are unfolding before our eyes, Kuala Lumpur folk should not expect to be entertained in the name of tourism or its promotion.

Let’s instil the right thinking and values in our people.


Malaysia flood help Joho Abdullah