SIBU: Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) divisional engineer Ting Sing Kwong said the chances of a flood occurring in Sibu in the next few days are low.
He said so far, the water level and the rainfall had been normal.
“However, we are having a King tide this week, so the people should be on the lookout, especially those staying at the low-lying areas,” he said when contacted yesterday.
He cautioned that heavy downpour in places upstream such as Kapit and Belaga might cause floods in Sibu.
Based on the summary of water level report, the water level in Sibu yesterday was high – at 1.68mmsl (metre mean sea level).
However, it did not reach the alert level of 2.55mssl.
“Despite all the normal readings, we are not sure how the tropical storm Sonamu will affect Sibu when it hits Mukah tomorrow (today).
“We are not sure of the amount of rainfall it would bring to Sibu. If it brings heavy rain, then the people should watch out for floods,” Ting advised.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department reported that intermittent rains, occasionally moderate, were expected to occur in Kuching, Samarahan, Betong, Sri Aman, Sarikei, Sibu, Mukah, and Bintulu between yesterday and tomorrow.
Newspapers had reported Deputy State Secretary Datu Misnu Taha as saying that tropical storm Sonamu was expected to make landfall in Mukah today.
He advised the people in the central region to prepare for any eventuality, and urged residents of coastal areas in Sarikei, Mukah, Bintulu and Miri to cancel all outings for the next few days.
The Sibu Divisional Disaster and Relief Committee is now on heightened alert following fear that Sonamu may bring heavy rains and cause landslide in bald hilly areas.
Its chairman, Sim Kok Kee, said their operations room at level nine, Wisma Sanyan here had been activated and extended its opening hours to 10pm until further notice.
Meanwhile, over in Matu, Jemoreng assemblyman Abu Seman Jahwie urged the authority to ensure that clogged drains were promptly cleared.
“This will allow water to flow out more rapidly and not become stagnant there,” Abu Seman, who is also a political secretary to the chief minister, said when contacted yesterday.
He said residents there expected floods during the Chinese New Year.
To the fishermen, he advised them to update themselves on the weather conditions through the print media and radio.