KUALA LUMPUR, April 23 — Sungai Buloh MP Datuk Seri R. Ramanan will submit a request to the Social Welfare Department to set up an emergency supplies storage centre to prepare for floods in the constituency.
Ramanan, who is also deputy entrepreneur and cooperatives development minister, said the request will be channelled through Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri to expedite the efficient distribution of essential items to the public.
“I will also be appealing to the Selangor government to speed up the flood mitigation project in the Sungai Buloh parliamentary constituency to prevent such incidents from recurring,” he said in a Facebook post.
He also suggested a coordination meeting be held soon.
Ramanan pointed out that more than 100 houses, including those in Kampung Paya Jaras Hilir, Kampung Kubu Gajah, Taman Seri Alam, and surrounding areas, were flooded due to continuous heavy rain since yesterday.
As at 1.20pm today, Ramanan said, nearly 200 families have been relocated to four temporary relief centres.
Ramanan, who surveyed the flooded areas, expressed his gratitude to all parties for their prompt and effective cooperation in addressing the situation, including the Sungai Buloh parliamentary constituency service centre and Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s Sungai Buloh division, in collaboration with residents’ representative council, village heads, and government agencies.
“We will continue to monitor the current situation and ensure necessary measures are taken to safeguard residents’ safety and welfare,” he said.
Besides Sungai Buloh, areas in Petaling Jaya and Subang Jaya have also been inundated.
Meanwhile, speaking to Bernama after checking on flood victims at the Dewan Seri Pagi Paya Jaras relief centre, Ramanan said having an emergency supply centre in Sungai Buloh is crucial to ensure prompt aid delivery.
“If we look at the flood-affected areas like Paya Jaras and Kampung Kubu Gajah, they are under the Shah Alam City Council. That’s why the tents for flood victims at PPS Dewan Seri Pagi Paya Jaras arrived late. They had to be taken from a storage unit in Shah Alam.
“We’re concerned that if, for example, floods happen at night, supplies for victims will arrive late due to traffic congestion or road closures. That’s why we want these matters to be handled promptly during emergencies,” he said.
Ramanan said apart from heavy rain, overflow from Sungai Gombak contributed to the swift rise of river levels in the area and the erosion of embankments.
“My team will ensure the victims’ welfare. Volunteers will be stationed in flooded areas to assist with cleanup, especially at homes of people with disabilities and senior citizens,” he added.
— Bernama
