Malaysia

Infrastructure destroyed, areas still submerged under 2m-high S’wak floods

Authorities say working to provide assistance to people on receiving end of rising waters

Updated 5 years ago · Published on 24 May 2021 2:54PM

Infrastructure destroyed, areas still submerged under 2m-high S’wak floods — A longhouse in Mulu, Sarawak submerged by floodwater. Many other longhouses in the north of the state have been devastated by the massive floods over the past four days. – Pic courtesy of Glenn Baya, May 24, 2021

by Stephen Then

MIRI – The destruction of infrastructure caused by the massive floods in interior northern Sarawak are widespread, with foundations of many houses uprooted, the inside of longhouses turned upside down, and properties damaged or washed away.

“The floods swept through my area like a mini tsunami. The water rose very fast and the current was swift,” Berawan ethnic community elder Willie Kajan told The Vibes today.

“Foundations of individual houses were uprooted, many longhouses are suffering damages to the pillars and wooden walls.”

Kajan, who is a tour guide operator in Mulu National Park, said this is the most severe flood he had ever seen.

“I pray the weather will not get worse. The rain has stopped now but the rivers are still turbulent,” he said.

State assemblyman for Mulu, Datuk Gerawat Gala, meanwhile, has flown to Mulu on helicopter to check out the situation on the ground.

He said the worst-hit settlements are Kg Melinau and Long Terawan as well as the nearby schools and a clinic.

“Infrastructure damages to settlements are serious. We are arranging aid for the affected folks,” he said.

Gala had arranged for immediate food supplies for his constituents.

SK Penghulu Baya in interior northern Sarawak and several settlements are still under 2m of floodwater today. – Pic courtesy of Simon Lagang, May 24, 2021

There are still numerous settlements inundated by the floods today, four days after the deluge began.

Dennis Along, who is PKR information chief for Baram, today said that several riverine settlements like Kg Sg Melinau and SK Penghulu Baya are still under 2m of water.

“The flood level has reduced but still some places are under 2m of water,” he said.

Along said PKR will also be checking the flood-hit sites to help the affected folks in the districts of Mulu, Baram, Marudi and the Tutoh-Apoh area.

The floods also inundated settlements located in the highlands of Bario and Ba’kelalan near the Sarawak-Kalimantan border.

The districts of Limbang and Lawas adjacent to the Sarawak-Sabah border were also badly affected by the deluge.

About 300 flood victims in Lawas are still being housed in relief centres as they wait for the high waters in their villages to subside. – The Vibes, May 24, 2021