A longhouse and school in Long Panai were submerged as of 3.30pm yesterday. — Photo courtesy of Jau Laing
MIRI: Long Panai in Apoh Baram is reported to be the first settlement in Baram to be hit by floods yesterday.
Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Baram spokesperson Jau Laing who gave an update of the situation yesterday said the water level was about one foot deep inside the double-storey longhouse.
The football field and the teachers’ quarters at SK Long Panai were also flooded caused by the overflowing Tutoh River at of 1.30pm yesterday.
Jau said the water level was still rising steadily at 3.30pm and urged the relevant authorities to go to the longhouse and provide the villagers with assistance.
It is also learnt that the primary school in Long Terawan, also in Tutoh, was inundated by flood waters as of 3.30pm.
Long Silat in Ulu Baram was also hit by flash floods after hours of heavy rain on Monday night, but receded early yesterday.
Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau confirmed receiving news of the flood when contacted yesterday, saying the flash flood was caused by an overflowing drain at the back of the longhouse.
“I have just contacted Temenggong Joseph Ngau Lian who hails from the longhouse and he told me that there was indeed a flash flood there. I was also told that the flood was caused by excess water from the drain due to heavy rain that night,” he said.
He also noted that the water level in Silat was still high yesterday because of the rain.
Report also said that at Long Luten, also under Dennis constituency, the water level was also rising.
“If the water level continues to rise and exceeds the danger level, please let the authorities know. I would also like to ask those living near the riverbanks to stay vigilant and to immediately move to higher ground when necessary,” Dennis said.