Firefighters wade through floodwaters for 2km to rescue seven in Klang

 SHAH ALAM: Firefighters waded through waist-deep floodwaters for two kilometres to rescue a family of seven, including four children, who were trapped by flash floods at Taman Rashna, Klang.

Selangor Fire and Rescue Department assistant operations director Ashrul Riezal Ashbar said firefighters had to make the journey on foot as the high water level prevented their fire engine from reaching the affected residential area.

He said the department received an emergency call around 7pm, prompting a team from the Klang Selatan Fire and Rescue Station to rush to the scene.

"The operations commander reported that the floodwaters were waist-deep, preventing the fire engine from entering the area due to the high water level.

Firefighters wading through waist-deep floodwaters to rescue a family of seven who were trapped by flash floods at Taman Rashna, Klang. -- PIC COURTESY OF FIRE AND RESCUE DEPT

"Firefighters had to walk two kilometres to reach the affected residential area.

"All victims, including four children, were found and brought to safety," he said in a statement today.

Ashrul Riezal said the victims were taken to a safe elevated area, while the flash flood situation was showing signs of improvement.

Several areas around Shah Alam were earlier reported to have been hit by flash floods following heavy rain at about 4pm.

Checks on social media revealed that flash floods were reported around i-City in Section 7, the area near the rear entrance of Universiti Teknologi MARA, the Padang Jawa traffic light junction in Section 16 and the Bukit Raja traffic light intersection.

More recent posts reported flooding in other areas, including Taman Intan and Taman Rashna in Klang, Sungai Rasau and Section U12.

Roads around the affected areas remained congested as floodwaters had yet to fully recede. - NST