JPAM personnel monitoring the water level at SK Pelugau in Selangau.
JPAM personnel monitoring the water level at SK Sg Buloh in Selangau.
SIBU: The water level in all major rivers in Selangau had risen, with the low lying areas inundated following days of incessant rain.
Selangau district officer Christopher Ranggau said longhouses situated near the riverbank or built on the riverbank including SK Pelugau and SK Sg Buloh were affected.
“The situation is under control and there is no evacuation to date as only the access roads to these longhouses are submerged.
“They were still passable to vehicles yesterday (Monday) as they were only under six inches of water.
“All agencies are at alert level. As for today (yesterday), the weather is reported to be fine, and water level at the affected areas is receding,” Christopher told The Borneo Post when contacted yesterday.
He was asked if there was flooding in Selangau following days of continuous heavy downpour.
Meanwhile, according to the observation by Civil Defence Department (JPAM) personnel at SK Kuala Pelugau, the weather was still cloudy but water level had gone down.
The Meteorological Department warned of heavy rain in Limbang District, Marudi District, Tatau District and Kuching on Feb 8.
Last November, heavy rain in the whole catchment of Mukah River caused the river to burst its banks, and forced the authorities to evacuate some 59 people to safety.
Meanwhile, Kakus assemblyman Datuk John Sikie said the evacuation centres in Kakus area could be activated at a short notice should the need arise.
He said they were monitoring the situation closely.
According to him, flood-prone areas there are SK Kuala Penyarai, SK Keseng in Kakus and SK Ng Tau, SK Kila Muput, SK Tayai, Pekan Tatau (Kampong Dagang Tatau and Kampong Baru Tatau) area at Lubok Kubung Kakus (Rh Ado) and some of the low laying areas.
Elsewhere in Sibu, Department of Drainage and Irrigation (DID) divisional engineer Ting Sing Kwong said there was no flooding.
“But the King Tide period is not over yet. So we still have to be vigilant,” Ting said.
On the eve of the Lunar New Year, King Tide measuring 1.2 metres struck and coupled with incessant rain, certain portions of the low-lying areas such as Tekam Road here were inundated.
The King Tide is expected to reach 1.5 metres around 10pm on the third day of Chinese New Year.