M'sia police & rescuers wade through extreme Johor flood to save stranded animals

A bit of light during difficult times.

Jane Zhang | December 16, 2019, 09:01 PM

Heavy rain over the past few days have caused extreme flooding in the state of Johor, Malaysia, with thousands of people being evacuated from their homes.

Through this difficult time, though, Malaysians have been encouraged by heartwarming stories of rescue teams looking out for our furry friends as well.

Real-life Paw Patrol

The Royal Malaysia Police shared a photograph of a member of the Kota Tinggi District Police response team holding a dog while wading through flood waters on their Facebook page on Sunday, Dec. 15.

Their Facebook post, which has been shared almost 800 times, is translated below:

Constable Jeery Juhari from the Response Team, Kota Tinggi District Police Headquarters, rescued a dog who was also trapped in the flood disaster at Kampung Jawa, Kota Tinggi, Johor.

In addition to the locals, pets and livestock have also been put under the responsibility of the rescue team to be placed in safer areas.

Please pray for all the Royal Malaysian Police personnel involved in the flood operations to continue being protected and simplify their affairs.

Netizens shared their respect and gratitude for the officer's actions, and encouraged the rescuers to keep saving animals.

screenshot of facebook comment by fohsssein Image via Facebook/Royal Malaysia Police

Translation: Alhamdulillah, congrats because you are someone who has a noble and great heart!

FB comment by Zainon Image via Facebook/Royal Malaysia Police

Translation: Alhamdulillah... thankful... thank you my noble-hearted friend. Please save the cat with its scared and sad face. Hope this police force will always remain within the grace and love of Allah.

Translation: Salute bro. No matter what it is, as long as it is a creature of Allah, we have to help save them. Hope that all the affairs are simplified.

China Press reported that rescuers in Kampung Genuang Baru, Segamat led four buffalo from a flooded area to safety.

It reportedly took one hour for a rescue team of 10 to bring all of the buffalo to a safe place 100 metres away, due to the challenge of moving the large animals.

rescuers saving buffalo from floods Photo via China Press.

A photograph of a man holding what appears to be a large blue container with two cats inside was also shared in the China Press article.

man rescuing cat in floods Image via China Press.

Flooding throughout Johor state

The number of people displaced from their homes has been reached more than 9,000, as of 8am on Monday, Dec. 16, according to The Star. The flood victims, who are made up of almost 2,500 families, have been evacuated to more than 93 temporary relief centres.

The flooding has reportedly hit Kluang the hardest, where 2,666 people from 747 families have been evacuated.

The next highest number of evacuees is in Kota Tinggi, with 2,659 people from 695 families.

map fo Johor state Kluang and Kota Tinggi, the two districts with the most people displaced by flooding currently. Image via financialtwitter.com.

The Star reported that one 43-year-old man was rescued from his vehicle in Jalan Kota-Tinggi-Mersing in the early morning of Monday, Dec. 18 after being trapped for more than two hours.

Top image via Facebook/Royal Malaysia Police and China Press.