KLANG: A total of 2,833 people in the Klang area have been evacuated to 21 temporary relief centres (PPS), says District and Land Office chief assistant district officer (ADO) Mohd Shahrizal Mohd Salleh.

       "We might have to open more PPS if the rains continue as flood waters seemed to be rising in other neighbourhoods in Klang and Port Klang," he said

       "Our staff have coordinated with the Civil Defense and the Port Klang Fire and Rescue Department, as there is an urgent need to use boats and larger trucks to move people affected due to the flash floods," added Mohd Shahrizal.

       Several local authorities that border Klang district have come in to help Klang Municipal Council’s Swift Action Team to assist the people in the low-lying areas that has been hit by the flash floods and to remove fallen trees along main arterial road.

       Firemen were also seen in Taman Melawis catching snakes and monitor lizards that had entered people’s homes.

       Hundreds of houses in Taman Melawis saw flood water enter their homes at about 11.30am on Dec 17 and until Saturday (Dec 18) at 1.45pm water from the swollen drains kept gushing in.

       Suresh Thillynathan who lives along Jalan Emas in Taman Melawis said water started entering his house at about 3am and the entire house was flooded.

       In Port Klang, C. Maheswaran, 54, said flood waters entered homes along Jalan Seroja damaging the strips of the wooden timber floor and furniture.

       "I believe inadequate water pumps at the flood tidal gates has caused this flash floods," he said.

       In Taman Sentosa, Mohd Ali Jinnah, 60, who lives with his wife and daughter said it was the first time in 25-years his terrace house at Jalan Dato Abdul Hamid 25, was flooded.

       Mohd Shahrizal advised people who are affected by the floods and needed to move to the relief centres to call the Klang District Land Office at 03 3371 6700.

       Meanwhile, cars and two wheelers within housing areas and main roads towards Port Klang were partially submerged as the water rose to above knee-high levels that have left many stranded.

       Motorists driving out of Klang were caught in flooding at the turn off along the slip road towards the Selat Klang Highway or into the Federal Highway.

       Others were forced to park along the road shoulders and only drove their cars out after nine hours when waters receded.