Stay safe, avoid risks during water activities this Aidilfitri - JBPM DG

Statistics from 2018 to January 2026 recorded 2,187 drowning incidents nationwide, with 56 per cent or 1,196 cases occurring in rivers and irrigation canals.

13 Mar 2026 03:49pm
Photo illustrated via Canva
Photo illustrated via Canva

KUALA LUMPUR - The public has been urged to prioritise safety and avoid risks when carrying out recreational activities in water areas during Aidilfitri holidays.

Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) director-general Datuk Seri Nor Hisham Mohammad said statistics from 2018 to January 2026 recorded 2,187 drowning incidents nationwide, with 56 per cent or 1,196 cases occurring in rivers and irrigation canals.

"The highest number of drowning cases in rivers and canals was recorded in 2021 with 193 cases, followed by 2018 (182 cases), 2024 (180 cases), 2023 (165 cases), 2025 (156 cases), 2020 (150 cases), 2019 (133 cases) and 11 cases as of January this year,” he told Bernama.

He said that during the same period, coastal areas recorded 578 drowning cases, followed by lakes and mining ponds with 180 cases, while waterfalls and rapids accounted for 165 cases. Another 68 cases were reported in drainage systems.

On average, the number of fatalities across all high-risk locations stands at about 270 cases annually, making drowning a persistent public safety concern.

Nor Hisham said negligence, poor swimming skills and the failure to wear life jackets are among the factors contributing to drowning incidents, along with unpredictable geographical conditions.

"Rivers and irrigation canals often have strong currents that can change suddenly, especially after rainfall in upstream areas. Uneven water depths, deep pools, muddy or slippery riverbeds, as well as unseen whirlpools further increase the risk,” he said.

He noted that in coastal areas, rip currents and tidal changes pose major dangers to visitors, while strong undercurrents and slippery rocks are key risk factors at waterfalls and rapids.

Nor Hisham said JBPM will carry out a remapping of high-risk areas based on past case data to ensure the deployment of personnel and periodic patrols are conducted more strategically during the Aidilfitri holiday period.

"To ensure operational effectiveness, JBPM will increase the frequency of physical patrols and scheduled monitoring during peak hours in cooperation with nearby fire stations, volunteer fire brigades and other security agencies.

"The department will also continuously monitor weather conditions and water levels together with technical agencies to issue early safety advisories in the event of severe weather warnings,” he said. - BERNAMA

 

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JBPM
Nor Hisham Mohammad
Aidilfitri
drowning cases

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