Floods cause havoc in Sarawak, Negeri Sembilan

MIRI: Floods today forced the closure of two Sarawak primary schools, one in Miri and the other in Bintulu, according to the State Disaster Management Committee secretariat.

Its officer, Maj Ismail Mahedin of the Civil Defence Force, said the schools were SK Rumah Essau in Bekenu, Miri, which had 48 pupils, 10 teachers and two administrative staff; and SK Kuala Sigu in Bintulu, which had 32 pupils, 13 teachers and six administrative staff.

He said five other primary schools were also affected by the floods but remained open – SK Angus, SK Kuala Bok, SK Bukit Balai, SK Kuala Kebulu and SK Bukit Mawang.

Meanwhile, in Jempol, Negeri Sembilan, 26 people from nine families had to move out of three villages today due to floods caused by heavy rain since 5pm yesterday.

The 18 adults and eight children from Kampung Lonek, Kampung Gajah Mati and Kampung Serampang Indah are being accommodated at a nearby community hall, the Jempol District Disaster Management Committee secretariat said in a statement.

Negeri Sembilan Civil Defence Force (CDF) deputy director Maj Mohd Rohaidi Halim said the situation in the flooded villages was under control.

“The rain is not so heavy now. The floodwaters have begun to recede.

“At the height of the floods, the floodwaters rose to between 0.2m and 0.5m. We are monitoring the level of the rivers. It is hoped that floodwaters will recede fully by this evening.”

Rohaidi said 15 CDF personnel had been deployed to the affected areas to help the flood victims, assisted by state Fire and Rescue Department personnel. -FMT