KLANG, Dec 18 – The Port Klang Authority (PKA) today announced that its port and logistics operations had been disrupted due to flash floods brought on by heavy rainfall here and surrounding areas in the last 36 hours.
Port Klang and major parts of the Klang Valley had been inundated by the flood waters making many residential and industrial areas inaccessible and have caused severe disruption to daily lives and economic activities, the PKA said in Facebook announcement today.
The heavy rainfall and flash floods have also severely affected port operations at Port Klang’s terminals of Northport, Westports and Southport besides adversely affecting operations at warehouses and empty container depots in the surrounding areas further aggravated by damages to access roads.
To make matters worse port and logistics operations staff are unable to report to work due to travel difficulties.
“Hence movement of containers and cargoes to/from the port are expected to be severely affected and deliveries will be delayed for the next several day. Vessel berthing wjll also be delayed due to the inclement weather.”
There is now also a backlog of vessels at the outer anchorage with many more expected to arrive over the coming days.
Port Klang Authority said it is working closely with the port and logistics industry players to optimise the available resources to do everything possible to ensure the continuance of port and logistics operations.
Priority will be give to essential goods, particularly food and medical supplies and refigerated goods.
The port operator also called on terminal operators, forwarding agents, hauliers and goods-clearing government agencies to come together during these difficult times to assist and ensure goods are able to reach markets and minimise the despair faced by the public whom are already facing the wrath of Covid-19 pandemic.
It also appealed to the people to exercise patience and also called on the port and logistics community to extend aid to local communities affected by the floods.
–WE