FLOOD: Water entering the backyard of a house at Merlin Lane.
SIBU: The Malaysian Meteorological Department has issued heavy rain advisory, raising the level to stage yellow where the conditions will cause flash floods over low-lying areas.
“Thunderstorm and heavy rain warning issued at 10:25pm on March 14 has been upgraded to Heavy Rain Advisory (Yellow Stage).
“Intermittent rain, occasionally moderate, occurring over Sarawak in Sibu division (Sibu, Kanowit and Selangau Districts) are expected to persist until afternoon today (yesterday),” stated the information issued from the website at 7.20am yesterday.
It added: “This condition will cause flash floods over low-lying areas.”
When contacted yesterday, a source from the department disclosed that Sibu areas were blanketed by wet weather that was predicted to last until Sunday.
Meanwhile, flash floods hit several low-lying areas here yesterday with Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce Road being the hardest hit.
The portions of the road leading to Lada Road and Upper Lanang, was inundated with flash flood, making it impassable to small vehicles as heavy rain pelted down relentlessly.
Merlin Lane and Belian Lane areas were not spared from the flooding.
A row of vehicles was seen parked at the roadside near Belian Lane to avoid getting submerged in water from the deluge.
The water level at these low-lying areas was higher than that on Wednesday as drains in certain parts were no longer visible due to the rising water.
When contacted yesterday, Sibu Resident Sim Kok Kee revealed that the water level at Rajang River was still below alert level.
“Flash floods in Sibu are localised at low-lying areas,” Sim said.
Elsewhere in Selangau, Tamin assemblyman Joseph Mauh said there was no flood there despite the intermittent rain.
“It was raining there, but not heavy and there is no flooding. Nevertheless, longhouse folk need to take precaution if rain persisted,” Mauh said.