Continuous rain inundates low-lying areas

0

SIBU: Following incessant rain over the past few days, water level at the upper reaches of Rajang River surged yesterday, causing floods to sweep across low-lying areas of the town.

INFERNO: The fire that razed 60 wooden houses at Kampung Titingan at its height. — Bernama photo

Sibu Divisional Disaster and Relief Committee chairman Sim Kok Kee, however, said the water level was still below the alert level.

Sim also disclosed that the tide would be higher towards this weekend.

An observation at Belian Lane around 10am noted that the water level there had reached knee-deep while nearby areas such as Merlin Lanes 2, 3, 4 and the back portion of Hua Khiew Road were also flooded.

Drains in the low-lying areas had swelled and water spilled over to the road sides.

Residents there were seen rolling up their trousers as they prepared to wade across the murky floodwaters.

“The water level in upper Rajang River is rising but it is still below alert level, following two to three days of heavy downpour in the upper reaches,” Sim, who is also Sibu Resident, said when asked causes of flooding in these low-lying areas.

Allaying the fear of the people, he said flooding in those areas were localised, assuring them that there was nothing to panic.

Asked if the water level in the upper basins would surge higher over the next few days, he figured that it would not happen. He, however, was quick to point out that the situation depended on the weather.

Concerned SMC Market and Petty Traders standing committee chairman Chieng Buong Toon was in the thick of action as he checked on the affected areas.

His candid observation: “The water level in the Rajang River is high thus rainwater could not be discharged fast enough, causing drains to swell and spill water on the roads.”

Chieng, who checked on the affected areas again in the late afternoon, noted that floodwaters had since receded.

A resident of Merlin Lane 2 praised Chieng for speedily looking into their plight.

He said: “Before the drains were cleared, our place would be inundated by flood after a heavy downpour. The problem was aggravated if it coincided with the high tide.”

He, however, sighed with relief that the situation had improved vastly as water was discharged promptly unlike in the past where it could be retained for days.

He thus hoped that the authority could consider raising the road so that residents there need not wade across floodwaters.

To this, Chieng responded: “Several roads will be upgraded after the Lunar New Year.

“What I promise, I will set out to do.

“Rest assured that I will push for it.

“We are still waiting for the council’s approval for the remaining of the 30 road names submitted.

“Once given green light, these roads will be upgraded either in the second or third batches.”

Meanwhile, Sibu Drainage and Irrigation Department engineer Ting Sing Kwong when contacted last night confirmed that the Rajang river burst its banks in low-lying areas here but the situation was still below the flood alert level.