Perak, August 24 All 19 visitors and two staff members stranded at Risda Eco Park Resort due to a water surge incident were successfully rescued around noon today, according to Perak Fire and Rescue Department Zone 4 chief Khairil Adli Zakaria.

Leading the rescue operation, Khairil Adli explained that the group, comprising 14 adults and seven children, was safely brought across the river using ropes and a boat. We faced a strong current in Sungai Geliting and had children among the group, so we used a boat as a safety measure. It took us about four hours to rescue all of them, he told reporters after the operation.

He further mentioned that no injuries were reported. The victims, aged between two and 50, were later transported to a temporary evacuation center for further assistance.

According to Bernama, the challenging operation involved 30 personnel, including 12 firefighters, five members of the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM), and 13 volunteers.

The incident began around 7 p.m. yesterday when a water surge caused the Sungai Geliting bridge, which connects the resort to the main road, to collapse, leaving 21 individuals stranded. The surge also damaged the intake of the Sungai Geliting water treatment plant.

Heavy rain, which fell continuously from the afternoon until midnight, triggered flooding in several areas within the Mualim district. The severe weather conditions led to the collapse of three bridges, trapping hundreds of residents who were later rescued and relocated to two relief centers.

The authorities are continuing to monitor the situation closely as further rain is expected in the coming days.

Source: Bernama