Flood waters breach danger level

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The aftermath after flood waters receded at SK Nanga Kua.

The aftermath after flood waters receded at SK Nanga Kua.

SIBU: The water level in Selangau rose to the danger level yesterday morning following heavy rain in the whole catchment of Mukah River on Saturday, causing the river to burst its banks and forcing the authorities to race against time to evacuate at least 59 people to higher ground.

However by late yesterday evening only 25 people remained at an evacuation centre as the flood water had receded in some parts of the affected area.

Department of Drainage and Irrigation (DID) Sibu divisional engineer Ting Sing Kwong, however, said while the water level was at a dangerous level, it remained stagnant for four to five hours yesterday.

The river is considered dangerous when the reading at the hydrological station registers a level of 17.9 metres (indicative) but at press time, it was 18.73 metres, breaching the danger level.

Sibu Disaster Relief Management Committee chairman Hii Chang Kee, meanwhile, disclosed that the operation to evacuate flood victims in Selangau started on Saturday night.

“Last night (Saturday) a woman and four children were evacuated from SK Nanga Selangau, followed by more this morning (yesterday),” Hii told The Borneo Post when contacted.

Hii, who is also Sibu Resident, revealed that only one of the nine evacuation centres in Selangau – SJKC Tong Ah – had been activated thus far.

He had also received reports on the two schools affected.

According to the reports, SK Nanga Selangau was inundated by about four feet of floodwater, with the classroom and dining hall filled with water.

“We received report that all chairs, furniture and sockets in the dormitory were also affected by the floodwater.”

As for SK Nanga Kua, the water level at the office (the lowest area in the school) was about four feet and the access road had been cut off, said Hii, adding that the actual damage was yet to be reported. He said nobody was at the school as it was school holiday.

“The water at SK Nanga Kua is subsiding due to the good weather,” he said, while giving a sigh of relief.

As for the three longhouses, namely Rh Banyan, Rh Linggo and Rh Judan, which were inundated by about one foot of water on Saturday, he said they were now accessible by vehicles. He, however, said there had been no evacuation from the three onghouses.

Bomba personnel assisting with the evacuation of flood victims in affected areas in Selangau.

Bomba personnel assisting with the evacuation of flood victims in affected areas in Selangau.

Earlier, Hii disclosed that the committee had identified 53 evacuation centres – 27 here, 17 in Kanowit and nine in Selangau.

Asked if there would be adequate number of toilets at these centres, he said portable ones would be brought in if the need arises.

As for the number of evacuees each evacuation centre could accommodate at any one time, he explained this varied according to the size of the centre.

To a question on how food items could be delivered to Selangau and Kanowit if they were cut off by severe floods, he said they had identified landing points for helicopters.

He said foodstuff would be obtained directly from identified suppliers in various districts, who had been reminded to have adequate stock to face any eventuality. Hii also mentioned that all relevant departments would be mobilised under the Divisional Disaster Relief Committee.

Meanwhile, Kakus assemblyman Datuk John Sikie Tayai said his area was not affected by flood.

The Assistant Minister of Local Government, however, said it was very important for the people to be vigilant and prepared.

“They need to be ready just in case,” he advised. Meanwhile, Bernama recently reported that all agencies involved in flood disaster management had been instructed to be prepared and to monitor all flood-prone areas closely, following heavy rains in several states since last Thursday.

National Disaster Management Agency (APBN) deputy director-general Datuk Muhammad Yusoff Wazir reportedly said food supplies had been distributed to evacuation centres under the supervision of the Welfare Department (JKM).