Flood situation worsens in Sarawak

2

A total of 3,812 victims from 939 families moved to higher ground, 36 schools closed across the state

State Civil Defence personnel help flood victims in Batu Kitang Kuching move to a flood relief centre. — Photo by Chimon Upon

Some houses in a flooded area in Mendamit, Limbang.

A family at Rantau Panjang heading to the evacuation centre in a boat after their house was flooded.

A villager of Kpg Batu Kitang in Kuching salvaging his belongings from the flood.

A man wading through the flooded kitchen of Long Panai longhouse in Baram.

Water crossing Stabau Road in Sibu.

Flood victims in Mendamit, Limbang evacuated to Medamit village community hall.

A flooded Long Panai longhouse in Baram.

A church partly submerged in Long Panai, Baram.

Members of the Civil Defence preparing to go on an operation in Kuching.

Three villagers from Kampung Bumbok set up a fish net near St David cemetery at the old Bau Road in Kampung Bumbok after the area was inundated.

KUCHING: Floods forced 3,812 people from 939 families to be evacuated and 36 schools in various parts of the state to be closed yesterday.

Statistics released by the State Operations Room showed that as of 7pm, Kuching topped the list of evacuees (2,306 from 506 families) while Limbang had the least (537 from 129 families).

There were 31 active flood evacuation centres, with Kuching topping the list (22) while Limbang had only one.

Common places being used as flood relief centres were village and school community halls, but a few churches, mosques, and shoplots were roped in as well.

The flooding this time also forced 36 schools to close, affecting some 3,678 students as of yesterday evening. They were closed either due to road access to the schools being cut off by flood or the schools had been flooded or used as flood evacuation centres.

In some areas in Kuching city, folks experienced about three hours of respite, starting at about 4pm, when the rain stopped and a bit of sunshine shone through the gloomy skies. But the rain returned later, giving some members of the public a reason to worry because of king tide. The king tide will strike today at around 5pm and is expected to be 6 metres high. There will be six consecutive king tides until next Monday. All king tides will occur at night time after today.

In Kuching, a road leading to Kampung Pangkalan Ampat, off Jalan Puncak Borneo, caved in yesterday following a landslide due to days of continuous rainfall.

Landslips and flash floods also occurred at Kampung Annah Rais, Kampung Simuti, Kampung Sadir and Kampung Semeru. Landslides were reported at Kampung Segandar, Kampung Timurang and Kampung Simuti.

The Krokong-Tringus Road in Bau was partially damaged following a landslip on Sunday. Another landslide partially damaged a house in Kampung Sibuluh, but fortunately the family living in the affected house escaped unharmed.

State Civil Defence Department and State Fire and Rescue Department personnel had their hands full helping those affected to higher ground or to flood evacuation centres. They were also reported assisting people move their livestock and even reptiles, including a crocodile and a python.

At press-time, the flood situation in the state was reported to be getting serious.

Meanwhile, the Sarawak Rivers Board has issued a directive to the public not to use boats in Sarawak River in view of the strong currents.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu said currently the express boat service between Sibu town and the city had been halted, but the express boat service between other towns in Sarawak could operate as usual.

Several roads in the state were cut off due to floods and heavy rain. They included a road leading to Kampung Pangkalan Ampat off Jalan Puncak Borneo which caved in following a landslide after days of continuous rain and Jalan Ulu Sibau in Kapit which was cut off after a landslide on Saturday.