THE Pahang Forestry Department (JPNP) has closed all camping sites near rivers and high-risk locations, including hillsides and waterfalls, until a date to be announced later.

In a statement on its official Facebook account, the department said the decision was made following the forecast of continuous heavy rain throughout the northeast monsoon.

“This closure involves all campsites managed by JPNP and private operators such as the Lubuk Yu Forest Eco-Park, Maran and Parit Falls Forest Eco-Park, Cameron Highlands.

“The public is advised not to organise any recreational activities in high-risk areas throughout this monsoon season to avoid untoward incidents,” the statement said.

As of last night, 21 victims were confirmed to have died in the landslide at the Father’s Organic Farm campsite in Batang Kali while 12 more are still missing.

In the incident at 2.42 am, a swathe of landmass measuring 500m in length, 200m wide and 8m deep crashed onto the camping site. – Bernama, December 17, 2022.