MIRI – Floodwaters have reached 1.8m throughout parts of Baram and Marudi districts as the rainfall continues to inundate northern Sarawak.
The development prompted the state disaster management committee to establish a flood relief evacuation centre in the town of Marudi town as surrounding villages and longhouses begin to flood.
According to the committee, several dozen families are being evacuated to the centre by Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department, Civil Defence Force and Rela volunteers.
Sahabat Alam Malaysia ground coordinator for Sarawak Jok Jau Evong told The Vibes the floods continue to affect more localities throughout both districts.
“It is good that the authorities are activating the evacuation centre.
“Villagers in settlements along the major rivers and their tributaries are seeing their homes filled with rising waters,” he said..
Jok added that the Sg Baram, Sg Tutoh, Sg Tinjar and its tributaries have burst their banks affecting settlements close by.
Among the badly-hit settlements are Long Bemang, Long Panai, Long Benawa, Long Ekang, Tutoh-Apoh basin, Marudi town, Tinjar and other localities.
Updates from the various fire stations showed that parts of Baram are seeing the floods reach the 1.8m mark above normal river level.
In Miri city, numerous housing areas were affected by flash floods following heavy downpour in the morning.
Parti Sarawak Bersatu’s Miri branch chief Bruce Chai said the drainage system in numerous housing estates overflowed as a result of torrential rain.
Meanwhile, Miri Mayor Adam Yii said the council is deploying its flood teams to prepare for worsening rain conditions. – The Vibes, January 30, 2022
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