Latest news with #disasterrelief
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
Too early to tell: Perak forensics narrow probe into Hutan Melintang fire that gutted 23 homes, shops, and house of worship
BAGAN DATUK, June 28 — The Perak Social Welfare Department (JKM) and the village chief's office have conducted an immediate census to provide aid to the victims of the Hutan Melintang fire. District Disaster Management Committee chairman Nazrul Fazami Mohamad said that relevant departments and agencies have been mobilised to conduct a quick census of the affected victims. 'JKM and the village chief's office have begun the census to complete the documentation procedures in a timely manner. 'We have also requested all victims to lodge police reports so that state-level disaster aid can be channelled through the Bagan Datuk District and Land Office,' he said when visiting the victims and the incident site today. In the 4.30 am incident, 23 properties in Bagan Pasir Laut near here were razed. This included 19 Class B and C houses, each approximately 92.9 square metres in size, a non-Muslim house of worship, two eateries, and a sundry shop. No casualties were reported. Nazrul Fazami said that no relief centre (PPS) has been opened, as all victims are reportedly staying with their relatives nearby. 'A meeting with representatives of the residents found that all victims currently have temporary shelter, so there is no need to open a PPS at this time. 'However, further discussions will be held from time to time to assess the need to open a PPS should the situation arise,' he said. Meanwhile, Perak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) assistant director of operations Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad said it was still too early to determine the cause of the fire. He said JBPM's forensic team is still investigating to determine the actual cause of the incident. 'Based on initial information from witnesses at the scene, the fire is believed to have originated in one of the houses at the back row of the affected premises. 'As a result, the scope of the investigation has been narrowed, and focus will be placed on that house to identify the exact cause of the fire,' he said. — Bernama
Washington Post
3 hours ago
- Business
- Washington Post
After Lahaina burned, an experiment in housing the most vulnerable
LAHAINA, Hawaii — The Matson shipping container had traveled 10,000 miles by the time it arrived on this Maui hillside. Inch by inch, a towering crane lifted a nearly 20,000 pound structure of galvanized steel and glass out of the container, the newest home in a town stricken by disaster. Almost two years after wildfires ripped through Lahaina, this is where global supply chains, disaster relief and a novel solution to America's housing crisis come together. On track for full occupancy this summer, the 57-acre development is part of Hawaii's attempt to house some of its most vulnerable residents, using hundreds of prefab homes in a way that has never been tried elsewhere. It's also a test of how quickly the government and private companies can work together to prop up housing when there are few options — and whether other places will do the same.
Malay Mail
6 hours ago
- Climate
- Malay Mail
Thai PM Paetongtarn visits flood-hit Chiang Rai as army evacuates thousands amid rising monsoon threat
BANGKOK, June 28 — Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra made an emergency visit on Saturday to the country's flood-hit north, where the military is evacuating residents after monsoon rains inundated thousands of homes. The Royal Thai Army says more than 3,700 homes were flooded across five districts in Chiang Rai province, alongside 80 hectares of agricultural land, with roads made impassable in three areas. Heavy rains are forecast to continue in the coming days, while the military has deployed rafts to ferry residents from their homes engulfed by muddy brown water, according to images shared on their Facebook page. Paetongtarn made a one-day trip to inspect damage in the hardest-hit area of Phaya Mengrai district, 25 kilometres from the Laos border. 'The prime minister met with flood-hit communities and asked about their well-being, including access to food, clean water, and care for vulnerable groups,' the government said in a statement. Paetongtarn made the visit as she faces mounting pressure in the capital Bangkok, where protesters gathered on Saturday to call for her resignation over a leaked diplomatic phone call. It remains unclear how many people have been impacted by the flooding. However the military said more than 4,400 households had been affected. Thailand's disaster prevention agency said it is closely monitoring water levels and urged communities to move belongings to higher ground in case of flash flooding. While Thailand experiences annual monsoon rains in the third quarter of the year, man-made climate change is causing more intense weather patterns that make destructive floods more likely. Widespread flooding across Thailand in 2011 killed more than 500 people and damaged millions of homes. — AFP
News24
2 days ago
- Climate
- News24
About 5 000 people in need of help as Western Cape roads, homes flooded - Gift of the Givers
Humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers Foundation has been called out to multiple flooded areas in the Western Cape. Around 5 000 people are in need of assistance, the organisation estimates. This after a cut-off low weather system brought heavy rain, wind, and cold temperatures to the Western Cape, leaving roads and homes flooded. 'It was a rough night,' Gift of the Givers Foundation operations manager Ali Sablay said on Thursday morning. This after a cut-off low weather system brought heavy rain, wind, and cold temperatures to the Western Cape, leaving roads and homes flooded. He estimated that around 5 000 people were in need of assistance after the humanitarian organisation responded to a flood of calls for help from all over Cape Town. 'We see the number increasing as the rain is not stopping. The calls have been pouring in. Many have been requesting assistance with hot meals, as all their food has been contaminated. We expect to distribute close to 5 000 meals today, along with blankets, clothing, and water,' he said. 'It's going to be a huge operational task.' The first urgent appeals were from Lwandle and Nomzamo, where close to 1 000 residents have been severely affected. Other calls for help came from Khayelitsha, Du Noon, Mfuleni, Gugulethu, Philippi, Philippi East, Mitchells Plain, Chris Nissen Park, Macassar, and Nyanga. 'In the West Coast, the Saldanha Bay Municipality and West Coast Disaster Management have called on our teams after heavy downpours left the entire Middelpos informal settlement submerged, with hundreds of structures underwater,' he said. Among the parts of Cape Town that were flooded were Vygieskraal, Bonnytoun, Gxagxa IFS, Lotus River, Klipfontein Road, Barcelona, Phola Park, Imizamo Yethu, Hangberg, Overcome Heights, Lwandle, Macassar, and Khayelitsha. In addition, according to the City of Cape Town, there were reports of fallen trees and debris in several areas, including Blue Downs, Constantia, Blackheath, Sunningdale, and Bellville. Cape Town Disaster Risk Management spokesperson Sonica Lategan said: 'The Disaster Risk Management Teams will continue assessments in the areas where flooding was reported, to determine the extent and the nature of humanitarian relief required.' 'The rain is expected to abate by afternoon, with more light showers expected from tomorrow,' she added. Donations of non-perishable foods can be dropped off at the seven fire stations that have been designated as drop-off points. They are in Constantia, Goodwood, Hout Bay, Lakeside, Roeland Street, Strand and Wynberg.
CTV News
3 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Sask. family speaks out after wildfire destroys home
Watch WATCH: A father and son from East Trout Lake, whose house was destroyed by wildfire, are wondering why more wasn't done to save it despite their earlier calls for help.
