Kuala lumpur: Search and rescue (SAR) teams are facing challenging conditions in the search for a man swept away by a sudden surge in the Klang River near the Saloma Link here yesterday, as the water level has risen to nearly six metres following heavy downpour this morning.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dang Wangi district police chief ACP Sazalee Adam stated that the search for the 34-year-old victim will be expanded in stages along the river’s flow towards Shah Alam, Selangor. “We will begin from the site of the incident and move as far as possible today, but this depends on current water levels,” he informed reporters at the scene.

Police have identified the missing man as a supervisor for the river improvement project in the area. The incident occurred when he attempted to move his vehicle during the surge. Video footage revealed that the victim managed to exit his vehicle and tried to save himself by clinging to the riverbank wall. However, the strong current overwhelmed him and swept him away, Sazalee explained.

The Fire and Rescue Department’s Operations Centre, in a statement earlier, noted that the SAR operation resumed today after being halted at 11 pm last night. The current search efforts are concentrated on the river’s surface, with drones deployed to assist.

The incident, which took place at about 5.30 pm, also involved 11 other individuals trapped under a bridge, all of whom were successfully rescued by the Fire and Rescue Department.