Seventeen devotees getting ready for Thaipusam found themselves stuck in a temple in Johor Baru due to a flash flood on Wednesday (Jan 24) night.
Upon receiving a call about the flood involving a temple in Kampung Kangkar Tebrau Kiri at about 9.13pm on Wednesday (Jan 24), Tebrau Fire and Rescue station chief Shamsul Khomari Bakar deployed eight firemen to the scene.
“They were making preparations for Thaipusam when the flash flood happened following two to three hours of heavy rain,” he added.
Shamsul stated, “Upon arrival, we found that the water level had gone up to about three meters. We managed to rescue and bring them to a safe place with a fiber boat,” when contacted.
The water level had gone down by around 1am, making it safe for devotees to carry out prayers for Thaipusam on Thursday (Jan 25).
“We will continue monitoring the area as it is located in a flash flood-prone area,” he said, adding that those rescued include eight women, eight men, and a boy.
Meanwhile, in Bandar Penawar, Kota Tinggi, 35 people were rescued after a madrasah in Kampung Baru Sungai Mas was hit by floods.
Fire and Rescue Department operation commander Faizal Ahmad said they received a call about the incident at about 1.09am on Thursday (Jan 25) and deployed 11 firemen to the scene.
“We have rescued the victims, including three senior citizens and nine children who were trapped in the flood. They have been sent to the Dewan Kampung Baru Sungai Mas temporary flood relief center,” he said in a statement.
