Vacate campsites near hill slopes, rivers, says DPM

BATANG KALI: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has advised that all campsites near hill slopes and rivers be temporarily vacated following the current uncertain weather conditions.

He said the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has forecast that heavy rain will start tomorrow, especially on the East Coast.

"So, it is feared that heavy rain will cause water surge incidents," he said after visiting the location of the landslide incident at the Fathers' Organic Farm camping site here today.

Also present were Minister of Works Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi and Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan.

In the incident at 2.42 am today, a swathe of landmass measuring 300 metres long and 70 metres high crashed into the Father's Organic Farm camping site.

Twelve more victims are still missing and search and rescue (SAR) efforts by rescue agencies are ongoing, while 61 have been rescued.

Ahmad Zahid who is also the Central Disaster Management Committee chairman said he hoped that the landslide incident would serve as a lesson and that precautions should be taken to ensure that it does not recur.

-- BERNAMA