JANUARY 3 — The flood situation in various states has gradually improved and although the water levels in some affected areas have not yet receded and victims still have to stay in relief centres, many others have gradually returned homes, which have been severely damaged and filled with thick mud. Furniture and various household appliances have completely been destructed while mud and garbage piled up. It is a scene of devastation, as if it had encountered a tsunami catastrophe.

For more than 200,000 flood victims in nine states, how to clean up and rebuild their homes is a thorny problem. Some have even lost their homes to the floods. As for the government, how to clean up the mess after the disaster, rebuild homes for the victims, and reconstruct infrastructure are daunting challenges.

The damages caused by the massive floods this time are worse than expected. It is preliminarily estimated that the economic loss could reach RM4.1 billion. A few thousand of homes were destroyed or suffered varying degree of damages; vehicles were flooded; some goods in supermarkets were damaged while some were looted, and furniture and stationery in offices are now covered in mud. It is afraid that cleaning work might take a long time before the victims can get back to normal life.

The disaster area is huge and the authority should thus send military or civil volunteer groups to help in cleaning up the scene. When the work begins, water and electricity supply should also be restored immediately as the lack of water and electricity will trap flood victims in a difficult and suffering situation.

A large amount of garbage after the water has receded is the source of health problems. Garbage inside and outside the houses must be completely removed and disinfection work is necessary to prevent the outbreak of infectious diseases such as dysentery, typhoid, cholera and dengue fever. Some victims have recently suffered from diarrhoea, it might be caused by contaminated water or food. The government should send personnel for disinfection work such as spraying insecticide to prevent mosquitoes from breeding and spreading diseases.

In addition, livestock drowned during the floods is also a risk factor leading to environmental pollution and infectious diseases. The corpses need to be handled immediately while surviving livestock shall also be vaccinated by Veterinary Services Department personnel to prevent the outbreak of infectious diseases or plague.

The floods this time have also damaged infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, communication facilities, roads and bridges. Railway services in east coast have also been disrupted due to serious damages. The reconstruction and maintenance of these facilities need to be carried our as soon as possible, particularly traffic disruption might trap victims in remote areas in a difficult and helpless situation. The Defense Ministry and Works Ministry should repair roads and bridges promptly so that relief supplies can be sent to victims, while personnel can also reach the affected areas to help in clean-up work.

The merciless floods have taken away many precious lives, destroyed a number of homes and caused property losses and mental trauma. All affected victims need external human and material resources to help them rebuild their homes. The government should take more practical and planned actions to help victims face the challenges. Instead of merely talking, it is better to establish a special relief mechanism to help the victims rebuild their homes. — mysinchew.com

* This is the personal opinion of the writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Malay Mail Online.