‘Orange Alert’ over Kuching, Asajaya, Serian, Samarahan districts

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KUCHING: The state Meteorological Department has issued the ‘Orange Alert’ (almost extreme heavy rain) advisory over Kuching, Asajaya, Serian and Samarahan districts.

The heavy rain may result in another flood in a few low-lying areas.

“Intermittent rain is expected to fall moderately in the late afternoon and a heavy downpour at night, especially in Kuching and Samarahan districts,” a spokesperson said.

The ‘Yellow Alert’ has, meanwhile, been issued over many interior parts of Samarahan, Sri Aman, Betong Sarikei and Mukah. The spokesperson added that thunderstorm and strong wind might be felt over the South China Sea, the east coast of Sarawak, Labuan and some parts of Sabah.

“Winds blowing at 60 to 70km per hour can cause waves to swell as high as 5.5 to 7.5 metres high, which is extremely dangerous to small boats and for recreational activities on the sea.”

Meanwhile, the State Natural Disaster Relief Management Operation Room said that many relief centres including the one at Jemukan had closed because the water level had receded.

“The affected families have returned home and the water level has gone down very fast.”

At press time, there were still 8,159 flood victims at 23 relocation centres in the state. The centre with the highest number was SK Haji Kelali – 1,298 people from 400 families.

At the Barrage Operation Centre, a spokesman said the management had opened the flood gate at 6am yesterday to ease the water flow.

The flood gate would open again in the evening (6pm), he added.