SIBU: The Resident’s Office and District Office (R&DO) are identifying flood-prone areas in Sibu division that are likely to be cut off from outside communication, based on past flood records.
This will help them identify strategic locations for the setting up of food depots, said Resident Sim Kok Kee.
“The information gathered will be sent to Kuching for further discussions on the setting up of food depots,” he told The Borneo Post yesterday.
In town areas, he opined that even if the low-lying areas were impassable to vehicles, there were still ways to establish communication.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan was quoted to have said the state government was ready to set up food depots at low-lying areas, to ensure that all basic necessities are in place in times of flooding.
According to Dr Chan, flood-prone areas in Ulu Baram, Sibu and Bau would have such food depots.
He explained that during a flood, roads can become impassable to vehicles, so food depots in these areas would be able to distribute food and other necessities.
Sim, who is the chairman of Sibu Divisional Disaster and Relief Committee, assured the public that the committee was always prepared to face any eventuality, given that the weather was very unpredictable.
On the food depot, he felt that there must be a custodian to look after the place, including the safekeeping of food items.
He revealed that Welfare Department already had suppliers’ information in their database.
If needed, the procurement of ration could be done speedily, he said.
He pointed out that they would conduct a ground survey and if there was a need, they would deliver the ration or evacuate those badly affected by floods.
He recalled that when the flood was at its height here last August, which lasted about three days, there was no evacuation carried out in Sibu.
Rain over the past few days had not bring floods to low-lying areas such as Tiong Hua Road, Hua Kiew Road and Tong Sang Road.