MIRI – A section of the Pan Borneo Highway feeder road in central Sarawak that links populated settlements upriver of the Murum Dam with the outside world has collapsed after the area was hit by severe flash floods.
The highway, located about 300km from Bintulu town is now totally sealed off from the public.
Sarawak PKR information chief Abun Sui said he has received urgent calls for help from motorists caught along the highway due to the sudden collapse of the affected portion, as well others in the vicinity.
“An entire section of the highway has been swept away,” he said.
“It cracked apart after being swamped by flash floods caused by water torrents from the nearby mountains during the past day of non-stop rain.
Thousands are affected, especially those living in populated settlements of Long Menapa, Long Peran, Long Tangau, Long Luar, Long Singu, Lusong Laku, SK Matalun, Long Wat, Long Malim Kenyah, Long Malim Penan, Long Lawen, SK Tegulang, and the numerous logging camps and plantation camps, he said.
Sui said he has checked with the Public Works Department in the nearest town of Kapit and the department there has issued a public notice telling people to avoid the location.
A section of road in the Belaga district of central Sarawak has collapsed after the area was hit by severe flash floods.
— TheVibes.com (@thevibesnews) August 6, 2022
This video shows the collapsed section of the highway looking like a waterfall.
? Abun Sui pic.twitter.com/kZDg2lSpIP
A check showed that the notice confirmed the collapsed portion dubbed CH13+300 of the highway.
“The highway at that section has been closed to all vehicles until further notice.
“Repair works at the section have started and we will update the public accordingly,” said the notice by the public works office.
A video shared by Sui shows volumes of water flowing onto the highway from the adjacent mountain slopes.
More than half of the highway collapsed into the ravine by the side.
The collapsed section of the highway looks like a spectacular waterfall thundering dozens of metres into the deep ravine below.
The Murum Dam is located about 70km inland from another hydro dam, the Bakun Dam, nearby.
Sarawak is being hit by turbulent storms that have already battered many districts in the northern and central regions. – The Vibes, August 6, 2022
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