JOHOR BARU: Some 17 devotees preparing for Thaipusam were trapped in a temple here following a flash flood on Wednesday (Jan 24) night.

       Tebrau Fire and Rescue station chief Shamsul Khomari Bakar said that eight firemen were deployed to the scene upon receiving a call about the flood involving a temple in Kampung Kangkar Tebrau Kiri at about 9.13pm on Wednesday (Jan 24).

       “They were making preparations for Thaipusam when the flash flood happened following two to three hours of heavy rain," he added.

       “Upon arrival, we found that the water level had gone up to about three metres. We managed to rescue and bring them to a safe place with a fibre boat,” said Shamsul when contacted.

       He added that the water level had gone down by around 1am, making it safe for devotees to carry out prayers for Thaipusam on Thursday (Jan 25).

       “We will continue monitoring the area as it is located in a flash flood-prone area,” he said, adding that those rescued include eight women, eight men and a boy.

       Separately, in Bandar Penawar, Kota Tinggi, some 35 people were rescued after a madrasah in Kampung Baru Sungai Mas was hit by floods.

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       Fire and Rescue Department operation commander Faizal Ahmad said they received a call about the incident at about 1.09am on Thursday (Jan 25) and deployed 11 firemen to the scene.

       “We have rescued the victims, including three senior citizens and nine children who were trapped in the flood. They have been sent to the Dewan Kampung Baru Sungai Mas temporary flood relief centre,” he said in a statement.