IPOH, May 18 (Bernama) — The Perak Forestry Department is temporarily closing 14 recreational areas and forest reserves which have waterfalls with immediate effect for visitors.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the decision to close the affected areas followed the recent water surge incident in the state.
Discussion will be held with the State Forestry director to decide when it would be safe to re-open the affected areas for visitors again, which will also depend on the weather condition, he told a media conference after attending the Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2022 celebration organised by the State Forestry Department at Taman Eko Rimba, Kledang Saiong here today.
He was commenting on the water surge incident at Gunung Suku near the Bukit Kinta Forest Reserve, Jalan Simpang Pulai-Cameron Highlands last Sunday.
In the incident, which occurred at about 5 am, a group of 29 mountain climbers heard the sound of raging water and landslides on the mountain and decided to turn back.
However, while on the way down to the foot of the hill, raging waters hit the climbers and two women mountaineers were swept away by strong currents. The 27 climbers were later found safe by the rescue team.
On May 16, the search and rescue team found human body parts, believed to be that of two female climbers who were reported missing in the water surge incident.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency