SLIM RIVER: A leisure family day by the river turned into nightmare for Syis Abdul Kadir and his 18 family members and relatives when they were stranded for 17 hours at Risda Eco Park in Kampung Ulu Slim.
They were stranded in the area after a water column from Sungai Geliting hit, causing several bridges connecting to the area to collapse.
The incident at 6.30pm yesterday not only destroyed the tents they had set up, but also swept away all their belongings.
Syis said the incident, which happened so quickly, had a profound impact on him, his wife, and their two children, who were trapped for more than 17 hours while waiting for rescue teams.
The teacher from Sabak Bernam, Selangor shared the harrowing moment when the strong current, carrying mud and wood, knocked down a large tree before heading towards their shelter.
"We arrived here from Sabak Bernam at 3pm, and at that time, the river water was very clear, so I started setting up the tent and finished everything by 6pm.
"At about 6.30pm, the water suddenly became very murky and then, in the blink of an eye, our area was flooded, forcing us to run to the hall since it was located on higher ground.
"I then ran to the back of the stage to call the 'azan' (call to prayer), but suddenly the strong current knocked down a large tree and headed quickly towards us.
"Thankfully, we all managed to stay safe," he said when met after being rescued.
Syis added that he frequently takes his family camping once a month, but had never faced such a frightening incident before.
Another victim, Professor Dr Ibrahim Abu Bakar, said this was the second time he and his family had camped at Risda Eco Park and encountered the flood.
The lecturer from International Islamic University Malaysia in Kuantan, Pahang, said: "We had planned for almost a year to hold a family day here, and we even checked the weather forecast, but it was all in Allah's will and we faced this trial."
When asked about his experience being rescued by the firemen, Ibrahim said the strong current nearly caused him to drown twice.
"Thank God for the efficiency of the rescue team, I was safely taken to the other side and reunited with my family."