Floods hit several areas in Sarawak due to constant heavy rain

Several regions of Sarawak, including Kuching, Serian, and Sri Aman, have been hit by floods due to heavy rainfall over the past few days, with more flood-prone areas expected to be affected soon.

Earlier, it was reported that the number of flood victims had risen to 278 individuals from 65 families, compared to 127 individuals from 31 families yesterday.

The Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) said that the flood relief centres have doubled from three to six to accommodate more victims.

However, as of 1.30pm, the total number of victims has decreased to 151 individuals from 45 families. 

Similarly, The Borneo Post reported that Sarawak Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah Embas had urged people to vacate their residences and relocate to flood relief centres immediately if their areas become affected. 

“For the sake of safety, we appeal to everyone - including the community leaders - to help the community to adhere to directives.

“When there is a directive to move to temporary flood relief centres, please do not hesitate to do so, because this will determine the lives and properties we can save,” he said when visiting a flood relief centre in Kuching today.

Uggah then reassured that, depending on the weather conditions for the next few days, the state government was prepared to open more flood relief centres.

Yesterday, the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) issued a notice of readiness for possible flash floods in the next 12 hours in several districts in Sarawak and Johor if significant heavy rain and thunderstorms persist.

DID said in a statement today the warnings were based on rain forecasts by the Malaysian Meteorological Department, Southeastern Asia-Oceania Flash Flood Guidance System, and DID’s flood forecast model. - Mkini