KUALA LUMPUR – Strong currents and the sudden rise in water levels during the floods in Taman Sri Nanding, Hulu Langat, had made search-and-rescue operations difficult, said the Fire and Rescue Department.
According to Hulu Langat Zone 4 Fire and Rescue Department senior officer Shahrin Yusmar Mat Yusof, a team of members was mobilised to the front control post next to Taman Sri Nanding for rescue work.
“The fire brigade was already at the location, but the route to the village was blocked due to the strong currents.
“It was very risky for rescuers to arrive at the location and it was also risky for the victims.
“At the same time, the remaining rescuers (tasked to take care of the Fire Rescue Tender machine and a lorry) had rescued a total of 40 residents around Batu 16 to higher grounds.
“They then attempted to go to the Taman Sri Nanding area, but they were trapped at Batu 14,” Shahrin said in a statement today.
As a result, he said many stranded victims could not be relocated as expected on the night of the incident.
However, he said the rescuers waited at the location until the water receded the following day.
“After the water receded, the fire brigade members along with other agencies like the General Operations Force and Civil Defence Force with three units of five-tonne lorries and three boats were mobilised to help with the operation.
“It was carried out until all residents were rescued. They have been relocated to the SMK Abd Jalil temporary relief centre.
“But those residents declined to enter the relief centre as the floodwaters had begun to recede and they would like to return to clean their homes.”
Due to continuous downpour since December 17, Taman Sri Nanding saw floodwaters rise up to the third-storey of the houses there, with many residents forced to spend the night on their rooftops. – The Vibes, December 22, 2021
