THE Fire and Rescue Department has advised sport-climbing enthusiasts to report themselves to area operators and obtain timely information about the site’s conditions before embarking on their activities.

Its director-general Mohammad Hamdan Wahid said this is important to ensure there are no unwanted incidents, especially during the northeast monsoon period, which has yet to end.

“They (climbers) need to obtain information on whether a particular place is safe because those who look after those places will know the conditions of the area better.

“If there is no operator in a certain place, they (climbers) need to obtain information from the nearest local authority, police station or fire station so we will know their positions, and if there is an emergency, it will be easier for us to know how many people are involved,” he said.

Hamdan was asked to comment on an incident involving 47-year-old climber Haniff Harun who was found drowned in Sungai Tanum after embarking on a descent of Gunung Tahan near Kuala Juram in Lipis, Pahang, recently. – Bernama, January 27, 2023.