KUALA BERANG: The public, especially the local community, have been advised to postpone leisure activities in recreational areas, such as waterfalls and rivers, that are at risk of a water surge phenomenon occurring.
Terengganu police chief, Deputy Comm Datuk Rohaimi Md Isa said water surge was an unpredictable phenomenon and the signs before the occurrence were difficult to identify, especially for those with less experience.
"We hope that the local community can avoid visiting recreation places such as waterfalls and rivers.
"It's not that we shut these places down, but the water surge is an unpredictable situation because it may happen in a distant place and the signs are slow to arrive for us to receive, and if it happens it has a huge impact,” he said after officiating the Innovative and Creative Group's Innovation Product (Amphibia Qber II) of the Hulu Terengganu district police headquarters in Pengkalan Lawit, Tasik Kenyir near here on Saturday (Sept 3).
On Friday, 32 individuals, including 13 children, were rescued after being trapped in a water surge incident at Lata Ulu Kasar, Sungai Tong in Setiu.
Setiu OCPD Deputy Supt Afandi Hussin said in the 5.30pm incident, the phenomenon hit the recreation area where visitors were bathing and camping, as well as six cars parked nearby.
In the meantime, DCP Rohaimi called on district councils and related agencies to carry out enforcement and put up water surge warning signs and inform the public in the event that an area requires to be cordoned off.
"We also suggest the installation of emergency sirens so that the public can be alerted early about the occurrence of water surge, compared with the current warning sirens, which are used for areas at risk of flooding,” he said. - Bernama
