IPOH, June 20 (Bernama) -- Twenty people, including three infants and a pregnant woman, who were stranded by a water surge at Kampung Ulu Geruntum, Kuala Razila in Gopeng yesterday, were evacuated today to a temporary relief centre at Dewan Bandaraya Gopeng.
Perak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) assistant director of operations Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad said all victims were rescued after the main bridge connecting their settlement collapsed due to strong currents.
He said the department received an emergency call at 11.57 am, after which 21 personnel from the Gopeng Fire and Rescue Station, with assistance from other agencies, were deployed to the scene.
"The operations commander sized up the situation and instructed personnel to carry out rescue operations using ropes and a rafting boat from the Kuala Razila Resort.
"Personnel assisted the victims by putting personal flotation devices (PFDs) on them before guiding them out of the location to be safely transferred to the relief centre at Dewan Bandaraya Gopeng," he said in a statement tonight.
Sabarodzi said the water level was about one metre deep and spanned 50 metres between the riverbanks. The rescue and evacuation operation ended at 2.15 pm despite swift currents.
A sudden water surge yesterday caused the main bridge in the village to collapse, cutting off residents' access and leaving them stranded.
-- BERNAMA
