Rising floodwaters force evacuation

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A fireman seen piggy-backing SJK(C) Tukau pupil through the floodwater to the safety of the main road.

A Civil Defence Force personnel monitors the flood situation at Taman Tunku, following heavy rain yesterday.

MIRI: Over 160 pupils of SJK(C) Tukau, near Bakam Road here, were evacuated yesterday after flooding forced the school to temporarily close.

The pupils, comprising 156 primary school-children and eight preschoolers, were carried by firemen to the safety of the main road due to the rising water level.

Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) Miri Zone chief Law Poh Kiong said the operation was carried out as parents were worried about their children being trapped at school.

“The path leading to the school was flooded, with the water level still rising due to the non-stop rain.

“The school was forced to close at 11am and the pupils were evacuated to the main road,” he said yesterday.

He added that the water level reach about two feet high and had inundated several facilities located on the lower ground of the school, including the teachers’ room.

The flood subsided around 1pm.

Law also said the department was monitoring the situation in several low-lying areas in the city following heavy rain since early yesterday.

The areas included Taman Tunku, Pujut Sungai Adong, Kampung Luak, Strawberry Park and Eco Park residential areas.

“Although the water level in some of the areas was on a rising trend, the situation overall remained under control,” he said.