MIRI – The latest round of floods in the interior of northern Sarawak has affected at least 30,000 people, said social and environmental activist Willie Kajan.
Kajan told The Vibes today that the floods are especially serious in the districts of Telang Usan and Mulu in Baram, and Tutoh Apoh in Marudi.
“Feedback from the ground is that about 20,000 people at a dozen settlements in Baram, and at least 10,000 in several settlements in Tutoh Apoh are affected by floods this time.
“This is the third time we are hit by severe floods this year.”
Kajan, who is from the Berawan ethnic community in Mulu National Park, here, is also a tour guide.
He often travels between Miri and Mulu, which is about 200km inland from the former.
The floods have yet to recede in many of the affected areas, with some settlements still under about 1m-deep water.
“The rivers are still at very high levels, and the rain still falls on and off,” said Kajan.
Baram People’s Action Committee chairman Philip Jau said in the past week, among the worst-hit settlements in Baram are Long Aton, Long Bedian, Long Bemang, Long Jeeh, Long Lama, Lio Mato, Long Panai, Long San, Long Subeng and Long Wat.
The stormy weather has added more woes to northern Sarawak, which has been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The flooded districts have seen a surge in infections over the past month, logging more than 300 cases.
So far, three Covid-19 deaths have been reported in Telang Usan. – The Vibes, July 19, 2021
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