About 500 residents cut off by flood

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Photo shows the inundated SK Ulu Pakoh in Selangau on Friday.

SIBU: A section of the road leading to Nanga Dangih, Pakoh, Oya in Selangau was inundated by floodwaters on Friday, affecting about 500 residents from five longhouses in the area.

The flood also affected four schools in the district namely SK Nanga Selangau, SK Nanga Kua, SK Sungai Pakoh and SK St Matthew.

Tamin assemblyman Christopher Gira believed the affected stretch (leading to Nanga Dangih) remained impassable to vehicles as there has yet to be any latest information from the authorities on the ground.

“River transport along Batang Oya is the only alternative for the affected residents,” he said when contacted yesterday on the flood situation in Selangau.

He had also received reports on some of the longhouses affected by flood along Batang Oya but the water level there was still not at the danger mark and hoped for fine weather ahead.

Gira added that Selangau multipurpose hall, SK Tong Ah, Sekuau multipurpose hall can be activated immediately as evacuation centres should the need arise.

“We are working closely with the relevant agencies if there is a need for evacuation. So far there was no such need,” Gira said.

Meanwhile, according to the flood monitoring status report for this district yesterday, there was no activity at all the affected schools as it is still a holiday.

The report also added that longhouses situated along the banks of Mukah River were inundated but their structures were not affected and the situation was under control.

In another development, Sibu Resident Charles Siaw said all 13 families from Rumah Ling in Kanowit and housed at the evacuation centre at Kanowit District Council hall on Friday had returned home as the floodwaters had receded.

He added that the evacuation centre was closed at 10am yesterday.