Flash floods pose a danger in some low-lying areas. Picture shows a car at the flooded Tun Ahmad Edruce Road.
SIBU: People in the outskirt, especially in low-lying areas, are still gripped with anxiety as flash floods have become a threat to lives.
Divisional engineer of the Department of Irrigation and Drainage, Ting Sing Kwong, confirmed yesterday that this had been a concern of late.
He said the situation was quite serious on Monday, with knee-deep water recorded in some areas such as Tun Ahmad Edruce Road, Ling Kai Cheng Road, Ulu Sungei Merah Road, Kampung Sentosa, Kampung Jerriah and Teku Road.
He said the sinking of roads was a major problem, and coupled with days of heavy downpour, the water could not be flushed out in time.
Ting said another reason was development in water catchment areas.
“This causes rainwater to rush down and settle in low-lying areas.”
A resident of Kampung Sentosa complained that water had risen more than a week ago, but due to the poor drainage system and the sinking land, the flood water was still there.
“We have been soaked in water for days,” the housewife said.
At Tun Ahmad Edruce Road, a motorist said he was caught by the rising water on Sunday night as he was driving home.
“The road was dark. I was caught in a dilemma as I did not know how deep the water was. Should I drive through the flooded road or turn back?”
He said he could not turn back because it was a one-way lane.
He therefore tried his luck to drive through, “and luckily, I made it”.
Ting reminded townsfolk that King Tide level was still high.
“The tide will go down within days but for now, let’s all be alert.”