SHAH ALAM, Sept 7 — Seventeen locations in Selangor have been identified to be at risk of water surge, says the Fire and Rescue Department.
According to a report by The Star, its Operation Division director Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad said that there are a total of 73 dangerous locations nationwide and Selangor comes second after Kedah, which has 20 high-risk areas.
He said other locations include nine in Terengganu, followed by Perak and Johor with six each, Kelantan (five), Pahang (four), Sabah and Sarawak (two each), Perlis and Negri Sembilan (one each).
“The basis for recognising these areas is simple. If the picnic area near rapids, whether sloping or rocky rapids, the water surge will come from upstream,” he said, adding that people who plan to visit these locations for recreational activities should at least the basics of swimming and floating.
“Watch out for the signs of a water surge, like the increase in debris or sand in water, and always be vigilant,” the English daily quoted him.
Other early warning indications include a sudden increase in the current force or murky, foamy water.
The country has had multiple water surge incidents recently, which resulted in many fatalities and the destruction of property.
On Friday, 32 people, including 13 children, were trapped in a water surge incident at Lata Ulu Kasar, Sungai Tong in Setiu, Terengganu.
Late last year, Yan and Baling in Kedah were hit by one of the biggest water surge incidents in the country, killing several people and causing mudflows that affected hundreds of locals.
