UP to 14 districts in Sarawak have been inundated by floods so far, with the number of victims in emergency evacuations reaching the 6,000 mark and still counting.
The Sarawak Civil Defence Unit, in its latest reports today, said 47 emergency shelters have been opened for flood victims throughout the 14 districts inundated so far.
The very badly flooded districts are Kuching, Serian, Bau, Samarahan, Sebuyau, Siburan (all in southern Sarawak), Kanowit, Sibu, Selangau (all in central Sarawak), Bintulu, Tatau, Miri and Subis (all in northern Sarawak).
“Serian and Bintulu are seeing the most number of evacuations now.
"The numbers are rising and being updated all the time," the Unit.
Separately, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg said the next few days will remain dangerous as weather reports indicate the possibility of more torrential rain.
"The floods are posing great dangers in villages, longhouses, residential estates and industrial areas too.
"Disaster management units throughout the state are operating non-stop now," he said in Kuching.
Floodwaters have reached beyond two metres in many locations, not just in rural longhouses and kampungs, but also in the urban centres, such as Bintulu town.
Many houses are inundated, with flood water reaching the ceiling of the ground floor in double-storey homes.
Hundreds of vehicles have been submerged and many swept away by the turbulent waters.
The National Meteorological Department has placed most parts of Sarawak under the red and orange warning categories for torrential rain until tomorrow at least.
Red and orange indicate the two highest danger categories. - January 30, 2025
