SEGAMAT: About 2,000 people at the SMK Seri Bali, Chaah temporary evacuation centre endured a day without electricity and dwindling food supplies after the access into the school was cut-off due to worsening floods.
Yong Peng assemblyman Ling Tian Soon said many victims at the centre used candles to get through the night, and sought refuge in the school's canteen.
Ling, who is state Health and Unity Committee chairman said there was also problems with the food supply at the centre. Segamat is worst affected by the floods in Johor.
"I needed to help them. There were so many shocks in this latest flood tragedy. After visiting a few temporary evacuation centres in Yong Peng yesterday, I rushed to Chaah. Many friends and community leaders contacted me to ask for help because the route into their settlements were cut off due to floods.
"I understood how dangerous it was. But when I thought of the victims and volunteers who were cold, tired and hungry, a few people from Yong Peng and I collected some food and went set off to Chaah with out vehicles at 6pm," he said when contacted today.
Within an hour, Ling and his comrades gathered six four-wheel drive vehicles to transport food such as bread and biscuits.
He said the journey to the evacuation centre was very challenging and the convoy was delayed because the road at Batu 3, Labis, was closed to all vehicles.
"The officers on duty told us that the water level was too high and we may not be able to go through the route. Fortunately, by the time we got there, the currents was not that strong, and we managed to reach the second stopover at Kampung Desa Temu Jodoh.
"After discussing what to do next, we decided to go through the route with the biggest vehicle in our convoy leading the way. We safely reached the evacuation centre."
Ling said he was thankful that the supplies reached the victims.
"Their smiles and 'thank yous' made it all worthwhile for us. I pray for the victims to remain strong and to take care of themselves," he said.
Ling said he was informed that the electricity supply was cut off for a day, but it was restored at about 2am today.
He said many government agencies were also trying to reach the evacuation centre, but faced difficulties due to the floods.