On Twitter, Malaysians unite in hope and sympathy as floods worsen

As floods inundate the east coast states, Malaysians have turned to social media to seek aid, swap information and express sympathy for the rising number of people affected.

Grainy photographs of buildings engulfed by the murky brown water, people wading their way through the streets, and animals desperately seek higher ground have flooded Twitter amid pleas for help and prayers using the hashtag #PrayForPantaiTimur or #PrayForKelantan.

A Twitter user from Kelantan, @Anahonni, said that she and the other flood victims were praying for more food donations, adding that they had been starving for over a day.

“It becomes worse and worse starting from last two nights. We can’t go anywhere, no electric," she tweeted, along with a photo of the Universiti Malaya Kelantan campus overwhelmed by the flood.

Some expressed concern they were unable to contact their friends and families affected by the floods.

“My family is one of the victims this time. I cannot contact them bcs of the poor line in the place that they’re hiding now,” tweeted @shimaziz.

Twitter user @fash4_ shared a few pictures she said she had received from her grandfather, showing a house partly submerged, while water lapped against the steps to the entrance.

“Some of these pict (sic) are received from my grandfather. I just hope they are just fine and safe,” she said.

Another user, @hamstertreeAegi shared a photograph of a house that was almost completely submerged in the waters, with only the roof and the top floor visible.

“My best friend house right now L L pray for her n her family to be safe,” wrote @hamstertreeAegi.

Those unaffected by the floods shared words of encouragement and hope for fellow Malaysians.

“The sun will shine. Always pray for it to happen. Be strong to those who are involve in those floods,” tweeted user @Fadshadow.

“I hope those students and their respective families, who are stuck in their hometown due to the flood are safe & well,” said a post from @CofeeElitist.

“The simplest thing that everybody could offer to all the victims is to pray for their safety and good health. Lets! #PrayForPantaiTimur,” wrote @azrindrahim.

User @ezzthedon said: “I love the unity shown by Malaysian during crisis.”

Malaysians have also taken advantage of Twitter to share information on how they can donate items to organisations such as the Red Crescent Society, Al-I’tisam Relief Programme, and IM4U.

As of today, more than 32,000 people have been evacuated in Kelantan since floods struck on December 16. Close to 120,000 people have been evacuated in Terengganu, Pahang, Perak, Kedah and Perlis. – December 26, 2014.