Rising flood waters force SK Kuala Penyarai in Kakus to close
SIBU: Rising water level due to continuous heavy rain forced a primary school SK Kuala Penyarai in Kakus area to close yesterday, affecting 91 pupils.
According to Assistant Minister for Arts and Culture Datuk John Sikie Tayai, the pupils were taken home by their parents, while some were sent back by their teachers with the assistance of the firefighters for safety sake.
The other school affected in Kakus was SK Keseng, Sikie added.
“However, only SK Kuala Penyarai is closed today (yesterday), while school session runs as usual for SK Keseng.
“The water level rises at SK Kuala Penyarai in Kakus this morning ( yesterday). The water level has risen more than one foot compared to yesterday (Sunday). Heavy rain upriver ( Kakus River) has caused the water level to rise.
“We are hoping that the weather will improve soon,” Sikie, who is Kakus assemblyman told The Borneo Post yesterday, adding that both schools were located in low-lying areas.
SK Kuala Penyarai has 91 pupils including pre- schoolers and 17 teachers and eight non-teaching staff.
Sikie said the 16 evacuation centres in Kakus were all ready and put on standby for any eventuality.
“So far, there has been no evacuation yet in Kakus,” he added.
He pointed out that community leaders had been instructed to monitor the situation and work closely with the relevant authorities.
There are a few areas that have been identified as flood- prone, namely Nanga Tau, Kuala Muput in Ulu Anap, Long Biak, Kuala Penyarai, Lubok Kubong in Kakus area.