MIRI: The biggest flood in Tinjar claimed the life of a 72 year-old Iban man from Rumah Lawai in Ulu Teru yesterday morning while hundreds of victims were evacuated to Marudi Civic Centre.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam, who flew to Bakong and Tinjar region by helicopter yesterday, said the flood was receding but warned it might be fleeting as a second round of flooding is feared.
Another rainy spell is forecasted by the weatherman on Jan 25-26 and Feb 5-7, and those in low-lying areas should take extra precaution, he said when met by reporters after inspecting drainage woes at Kampung Lereng Bukit yesterday.
Dr Chan had ordered stock replenishment at the four forward bases in Long Teru (Rumah Mathew), Long Teran (Rumah Penghulu Patrick), Long San and Long Bedian. An additional 2,500 packs are being sent from Marudi, and each pack contains a week’s ration for a family of five.
On the first flood fatality reported, Dr Chan said the body has been brought by the rescue team to Marudi hospital for post-mortem to ascertain actual cause of death.
Sources in Ulu Teru said the victim, Sunguong Anak Empari from Rumah Lawai, Long Tabing in Tinjar was found drowned yesterday morning at the longhouse inundated by flood waters, not far from Lapok town.
It was not immediately known how it happened and Marudi police had classified the case as sudden death.
Residents recovered the lifeless body of the old man who has a history of asthmatic and other illnesses, suspecting that he could have passed out after slipping on wet planks or log.
The deceased was originally from Machan, Kanowit before he moved to the present longhouse and settled down.
Dr Chan said the government would provide assistance to the family on the burial of the deceased after the postmortem had been carried out.
He confirmed that another 200 people from Lubok Mulong in Sungai Tinjar had been evacuated by boat to Marudi relief centre, about three hours downriver by express boat which has been chartered for the rescue and relief operations by Marudi district disaster and relief committee.
“There are food, drinks and sanitation facilities in Marudi. It is the most suitable place as the surrounding areas are still flooded, “ he said.
The group was evacuated from their longhouse at Lubok Mulong at about 3pm yesterday.
Responding to requests from flood victims in Tinjar and other affected areas for weather forecast for their respective locations, he said he would look into them.
Residents made this call to their assemblyman and Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Water Supply) Sylvester Entri Anak Muran during his visits to the flood-hit areas in the past five days by helicopter, boat and on foot.
Meanwhile, Dr Chan said he would be back in Miri tomorrow to inspect the erosion-prone slopes at Canada Hill.