SHAH ALAM: Soldiers have been on the ground to help flood victims in Selangor from the start, says the Armed Forces.

       Brigadier Jen Noorrul Azril Ariffin, the operations commander at the Armed Forces Taman Sri Muda command post, said that his men were on the ground helping victims from the very start.

       “Our operations started on Saturday (Dec 18) itself, and we have established our command post here. Twelve boats from our side and around 300 soldiers are stationed here.

       “We work closely with other agencies, like the police and firefighters. Most of our works are rescue related as well as distributing food,” he said when met on Tuesday (Dec 21).

       He added that on the first day, water levels were so high it flooded the entire first floor of houses.

       “It’s better today, but in the middle of the area, water levels are still at waist level. Our operations to rescue and assist are continuous.

       “One of the biggest challenges was mobilising our assets at night. We don’t have local knowledge of the area and we needed guides to help out boats,” he added.

       Water conditions remained murky, and rescuers had to be wary of unseen rocks and drains.

       Efforts are ongoing round the clock he said, with shifts in place to ensure his men have adequate rest before heading back for duty.

       “Our morale is high,” he said.

       Flash floods hit multiple areas in the Klang Valley over the weekend, displacing hundreds of residents.

       Taman Sri Muda is among the areas heaviest hit by the floods, with at least six people reported dead in the area alone.