Non-stop rain causes ponding on sunken roads

The incessant downpour on Sunday caused some ponding at several sunken roads here, according to Department of Irrigation and Drainage divisional engineer Ting Sing Kwong.

He described ponding as trapped water that cannot f low to the river because the road is too low, causing certain sections of the road to be inundated.

“As of yesterday (Sunday), there was some ponding at sunken roads at Kampung Jeriah, Jalan Sentosa Utama and a portion of Jalan Hua Kiew along lanes 5 and 7.

"Today ( yesterday), weather looks better and I believe the situation is improving. Otherwise, no serious f looding has been reported in Sibu town,” Ting told The Borneo Post yesterday. He was asked if there was flooding in low-lying areas here following the incessant heavy rain on Sunday.

On the f lood in Merlin lanes, he said it could be because the area was low- lying but added he did not receive any report on the matter so far. As such, he reminded people living in lowlying areas to be vigilant and keep themselves posted on the latest weather reports and be ready to move their belongings to higher ground in the event of a flood. In addition, they should also always watch out for the water level in the rivers, Ting advised.

Meanwhile, it was a wet start to the Year of the Rooster here, following sporadic downpour on the first day of the Lunar New Year, forcing those going visiting to take out umbrellas to shield themselves from the rain.

The more safety- conscious motorists were spotted switching on their headlights to alert oncoming vehicles. It was a wet afternoon on the second day of the Chinese New Year.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department had on Jan 28 issued a warning of continuous rain in Mukah ( Matu and Daro districts), Sibu ( Kanowit and Sibu districts), Sarikei , Betong, Sri Aman, Samarahan, Serian and Kuching which was expected to persist until late morning on Jan 29.