Kuala muda: Four hikers who were stranded in the Tupah forest area near Gunung Jerai due to heavy rain were safely brought down at about 4.30 am today. Kuala Muda police chief ACP Hanyan Ramlan confirmed the rescue operation.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the group of men began their hike at 6.30 am yesterday via the Tupah Recreation Forest trail. Concerns arose when their families lost contact with them around 7 pm, prompting the families to lodge a police report.

The police report was filed by three families of the hikers at about 9 pm yesterday at the Merbok police station. The hikers have been identified as Mohd Asraf Rosni, 34; Mohd Syafiq Asraf Said, 32; Muhamad Aiman Norazam, 26; and Muhamad Zulfahmi Zulkefli, 25.