Firefighters in Johor Bahru have successfully rescued 17 Hindu devotees who were caught off guard by flash floods while preparing for the upcoming Thaipusam festival at the Sri Muniswarar Maha Mariamman temple in Kampung Kangkar Tebrau Kiri.
The Tebrau fire and rescue station operations commander, Khairul Azhar Abd Aziz, detailed the incident, stating that they received an urgent report at 10:13 p.m. on January 24 and promptly dispatched a team to the scene. The unexpected deluge, resulting from heavy rain throughout the day, led to water levels rising to a critical 3 metres before the temple management sought assistance from the fire department.
As reported in FMT, Khairul Azhar explained, “The area is prone to floods, especially during prolonged periods of rain.” The swift response by the fire and rescue team was crucial in ensuring the safety of the trapped devotees, comprised of eight men, eight women, and a young boy.
The rescue operation, carried out under challenging conditions, saw all 17 individuals successfully evacuated to a secure location by midnight. Fortunately, no casualties were reported, marking the successful culmination of the rescue efforts.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of weather conditions, emphasising the importance of preparedness and prompt response in ensuring the safety of communities, especially during religious festivities such as Thaipusam. As preparations for the festival continue, authorities and temple management are urged to remain vigilant and take proactive measures to safeguard the well-being of devotees and residents alike.
Source: FMT
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