CAMERON HIGHLANDS, Oct 23 — About 80 houses on the fringes of the Bertam River, near Cameron Highlands, were swept away by strong currents after water was released from the Sultan Abu Bakar Dam, in Ringlet, early this morning.

Two foreign nationals were found drowned in the incident while another is still missing.

Cameron Highlands district police chief, DSP Mohd Zahari Wan Busu said the victims were identified as Bangladeshi Jahangir, in his 30s, and an Indonesian woman, Kesmat, 46.

“The search for a 17-year-old Indonesia girl is ongoing,” he said when contacted, here, today.

He said the dam water in Ringlet had to be released to prevent the dam from bursting following continuous rain since 7pm yesterday.

Mohd Zahari said about 100 vehicles were also badly damaged in the incident.

“The first release of water at the dam was made at midnight followed by another at 1am and the third at 2.45am, causing water in the Bertam River nearby to suddenly overflow its banks,” he said.

According to him, 20 families in the area were evacuated to the Ringlet community hall.

“The bodies of the two victims were sent to Sultanah Kalsom Hospital in Cameron Highlands,” he said.

Mohd Zahari said following information received on the incident, a search and rescue operation was carried out as early as 7.30am today, with 243 rescue personnel involved in the operation. — Bernama