IT IS the second day that state capital Kuching and surrounding districts in southern Sarawak have been hit by widespread flash floods following a continuous, intense downpour.
The situation has caused a surge in evacuations in populated localities as roads and housing estates become inundated by water levels exceeding a metre in height in many places.
The state Disaster Management Committee today said the number of flood victims evacuated has reached the 1,500 mark.
Some 62 flood shelters have been opened in the districts of Kuching and Serian.
Committee chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah said there could be more evacuations if the floods continue.
“People in flooded zones must be prepared to move out as and when ordered by the authorities. The situation may worsen,” he said when visiting flood shelters.
The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department has dispatched more personnel in rescue boats to numerous different localities that are being overwhelmed by floods.
The floods started yesterday morning and waters have been rising with no respite since then. Among the badly affected populated localities are Batu Kawah, Petra Jaya, Bau, Lundu, Samarahan, Serian and Siburan.
The department, in a statement, said rescue teams are continuously responding to emergency calls for help from residents caught by floodwaters that have entered their houses.
“The water levels are still rising. The emergency evacuation is proceeding,” the department said.
Ground rescue teams have reported that many roads are now cut off to all traffic after being overwhelmed by floods.
Commercial centres too have been badly hit, with many people stranded and unable to drive their vehicles. – The Vibes, March 3, 2024
