SIBU: All government agencies here have braced themselves for possible floods and geared up for any rapid response to eventualities as rain continues to pound the riverine town.
Sibu Resident Sim Kok Kee disclosed that all government agencies here had been placed on alert as part of their preparations to face the anticipated flooding.
“As such, agencies to be directly involved in safeguarding the people in times of flood, such as Fire and Rescue Services Department (Bomba), Police, Army, Civil Defence Department (JPAM) and others, can be mobilised at a short notice,” he told The Borneo Post yesterday.
To a question, Sim revealed that a food depot for Sibu had yet to be identified, as they needed to work out the details.
Recently, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan said the state government was ready to set up food depot at low-lying areas to ensure that all basic necessities were in place in times of flooding.
According to Dr Chan, flood-prone areas in Ulu Baram, Sibu and Bau would have such food depot.
Dr Chan also explained that during flood, roads could become impassable, so food depot in these areas would be able to distribute food and
other necessities to victims.
When asked if short messaging service (SMS) would be engaged to forewarn those residing in low-lying areas of floods and prepare them for evacuation, Sim said the state government was in the process of working out the details with telecommunication companies.
He reckoned that such services would be for the whole state and not confined to certain areas.
Meanwhile, the front portions of Tiong Hua Road, Foochow Lane, Alan Road and several stretches along Lanang Road were inundated about a week ago. To this, Sim replied: “It was just a flash flood and water receded after a short while. There is no cause for alarm.”
Meanwhile, the memory of the severe flood that struck the town last August which caused losses to farmers was still fresh in the minds of the local populace.