Firemen on stand-by in case of flood

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SIBU: The Fire and Rescue Department is on stand-by in case of flood.

DANGER: Water gradually rising in low-lying areas such as Merlin Lane and back portion of Hua Kiew Road.

Bomba chief Abdul Mutalib Rashid disclosed, saying that their men at both Central Road and Sungai Merah stations had been placed on stand-by in preparation of the anticipated year-end flood.

Among their preparations, he said: “We have readied three aluminum boats that can be used for rescue and evacuation operations.”

Abdul Mutalib revealed that they have two jet skis to handle the situation if there is a flood.

Meanwhile, apart from the low-lying areas in the town certain parts of the traffic-heavy Lanang Road were flooded yesterday.

Water also rose swiftly in areas such as Merlin Lane, back portion of Hua Kiew Road and surrounding areas around 6pm as it continued to rain.

Elsewhere, the front of Tiong Hua Road, Tekam Road and Alan Road were under water – a grim reminder of the severe flood that struck the town last August.

Asked if the floods were due to the high tide, chairman of Sibu Divisional Disaster and Relief Committee Sim Kok Kee replied: “It is not king tide yet.”

Meanwhile, heavy rain pounded the town relentlessly the last few days, causing drains in low-lying areas to swell and several roads were flooded.