Search for man swept away in Kajang river suspended due to heavy rain

KAJANG: The search and rescue operation for a man believed to have been swept away by river currents in Sungai Chuah yesterday was suspended this afternoon following heavy rain.

The victim, an Indian man believed to be in his 40s, was last seen wearing a white shirt and drifting in the river near Jalan Pasir Emas 2 before disappearing.

Selangor Fire and Rescue Department assistant director of operations Ashrul Riezal Asbar said the department received an emergency call at 5.23pm yesterday after members of the public reported seeing the man being swept away.

He said firefighters from the Kajang Fire and Rescue Station arrived at the scene six minutes later and immediately launched a search for the missing man.

"Initial search efforts were concentrated along the riverbanks before the operation was expanded with the assistance of the Water Rescue Unit (PPDA) and K9 unit.

"Seven PPDA personnel arrived at the scene at 6.38pm, while a forward command post was established at 6.42pm to coordinate the search operation," he said.

Ashrul said rescue personnel continued searching the surrounding riverbanks until late last night, but the victim remained missing.

He said the operation entered its second day today, with rescuers deploying kayaks and boats to search the river while the K9 unit conducted searches along the riverbanks.

"Search efforts continued throughout the day, but operations had to be suspended at 4.30pm due to heavy rain at the location.

"The search and rescue operation will resume tomorrow," he said.

Ashrul said the operation involved 23 firefighters, five police personnel and two members of the Malaysian Volunteer Fire Brigade (RBM).

Firefighters from the Kajang, Shah Alam and Port Klang fire stations, including specialist water rescue personnel and the K9 unit, were mobilised for the operation.

As of this evening, the victim had yet to be located.

Earlier today, The Selangor Civil Defence Force (APM) said its Hulu Langat district office was informed of the incident around 7.26pm today.

However, preliminary information obtained from Kajang police indicated that the incident had occurred yesterday.

Following the notification, a team comprising four APM officers and five personnel was dispatched to the location to assist in the search operation.