Dr Chan: State ready for year-end floods

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KUCHING: The state is bracing itself for probable floods with various initiatives already being put in place.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan said among the initiatives was the distribution of two-week provisions to areas that are likely to be cut-off by floods.

Telecommunication service provider such as Celcom, social networking website Facebook and short messaging service (SMS) will be used to inform the people about floods.

Dr Chan mentioned Bau District and interior areas in Baram that are likely to be cut-off during a flood.

Yesterday, Dr Chan, who is also State Disaster and Relief Committee chairman, held a meeting with various government departments and agencies to prepare for the floods.

According to him, the state has been experiencing between 20 and 40 per cent more rainfall since June.

Rain is expected to last until March next year.

“When it comes to helping the flood victims, we are all ready and prepared,” Dr Chan told a press conference at his office at Wisma Bapa Malaysia yesterday after the meeting.

He said that he would personally inspect the boats and outboard engines to ensure that they were really functional.

Dr Chan pointed out that both big and small boats would also be made available in flooded areas, adding that the state government would seek assistance from the federal government to provide smaller boats.

Boats will also be made available in low-lying housing estates, Dr Chan assured.

In case of landslides, he said the Public Works Department and other government bodies would look into the matter.

A similar meeting will be held at the end of this month to fine-tune the flood relief preparation programme.