JPAM and police monitoring the situation closely.
SIBU: Flash flood triggered by incessant rain and king tide forced a primary school in Kemuyang here to close yesterday.
The only access road to the school and two nearby longhouses was rendered impassable.
The narrow stretch leading to SK Nanga Bon, 14-door Rh Tinggan and 23-door Rh Lawrence was inundated by knee-deep flood waters. Rh Tinggan has 86 residents while Rh Lawrence, 122. The road was impassable to vehicles such as motorcycles and cars, forcing some longhouse residents to use longboats to commute to the road junction. The distance from the road junction to the school is about 1.5 km.
Police from the MPV unit were spotted monitoring the situation while Civil Defence Department (JPAM) personnel installed flood markers to warn road users. SK Nanga Bon headmaster Joseph William said the closure affected 74 pupils from pre-school to primary six, 13 teachers and three non-teaching staff.
“We advised the parents to send their children home as it was dangerous, especially to small children. The school sits on a hill top and so it is not affected,” Joseph told The Borneo Post yesterday. He said the flood started on Saturday but subsided, only to rise again later.
“Today (yesterday), the water started to recede, and we hope the rain will stop,” he added. Joseph, who has been with the school for eight years, hoped that the road could be raised.
Residents use boats to commute as the road leading to their longhouses is inundated.
A signboard giving the direction to SK Nanga Bon.
He did not foresee the school to resume today, saying the water level might remain high over the next two to three days.
Joseph also said this Friday is the last school day for this year.
“But with the school closed due to flood, we cannot give out test papers and do corrections in the class,” he lamented.
Meanwhile, when contacted yesterday, Sibu Disaster Relief Management Committee chairman Hii Chang Kee said the flash flood was due to the accumulation of rainwater.
The Sibu Resident said JPAM personnel had been dispatched to the scene.
Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) Sibu divisional engineer Ting Sing Kwong said the area was low-lying.
“That’s the very reason it is flooded every year whenever there is continuous heavy downpour and high tide.
“The next round of king tide is expected on Nov 29,” he said.