Wet weather to go on until March
Above average rainfall rate expected over Sarawak until June 2024 — State MetMalaysia chief
KUCHING: The current wet weather over Sarawak is expected to continue until the end of this March, says Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) Sarawak director Khairul Najib Ibrahim.
When contacted yesterday, he said according to the longterm weather forecast model, the western and southern parts of Sarawak would receive above average rainfall rate up to June, and would be back to average rate from July onwards.
Meanwhile, according to a short-term forecast displayed on the MetMalaysia website, intermi ent rain is expected over parts of Sarawak until this Feb 22.
According to the tide-forecast. com website, high tide is expected at 11.12am and 10.42pm today.
Yesterday, traffic came to a standstill during morning rush hour as sections of roads in Kota Sentosa and at Mile 9 of Jalan Penrissen were hit by flash floods.
Netizens took to social media to complain about poor drainage in the areas, known to be prone to flooding especially during heavy rain.
Early reports also indicated that Rumah Sunti in Sri Aman, Rumah Giman and Rumah Lingoh in Julau, were affected by landslides earlier yesterday.
APM is currently on the ground to access the situation.
In the state’s central region, several areas in Pakan were inundated, affecting 133 people at Sungai Entabai.
Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) Zone 4 chief Andy Alie said his side received a distress call at 6.29am yesterday regarding several premises being flooded.
“Based on the information from local residents, the water level reached about six feet at 4am today (yesterday).
“The affected areas are Nanga Entaih Health Clinic, SK Nanga Entaih, Rumah Renggan, Taman Gerugu, Rumah Mundie Langi, Rumah James Ngelingkong Anding, Rumah Margeretha Bija Dau, Rumah Kandu Mat, Rumah Spencer Garai and Rumah Saing Sekalai.
“In addition, six vehicles were submerged,” he said.
Andy said his men continued to monitor the affected areas using a boat from local residents.
“There was no evacuation as the affected people had moved to higher ground,” he added.
In addition, the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) had issued notices for two areas in Sarawak – Sungai Salim B in Sibu (Batang Rajang) and Sungai Enteban 2 in Sri Aman (Batang Lupar) – a er the rivers had breached the ‘Danger’ level.
This was based on the DID’s web-based Online Hydrological Information System (iHydro), reported as at 12.45pm.
Desa Wira in Kuching (Sungai Sarawak) was the first to breach the danger level, at 3.57 metres at 11.30am.
“The water level has breached danger level. Communities around the vicinity are advised to be extremely cautious,” said iHydro.
Taman Malihah and Mile 8 here (Sungai Sarawak), and Tamin in Sibu (Sungai Oya) had breached the warning level.
Meanwhile, the Batu Kitang Telemetry area here (Sungai Sarawak) breached the alert level at 12.45pm.
KUCHING: Faced with a dire situation, 42-year-old Rahimah Sidi had no other alternative but to wade through two metres of floodwaters with her four young children in tow.
Recalling her ordeal, Rahimah said the floodwater around her house in Kampung Sinar Budi here started to rise rapidly between 10am and 11am, accompanied by heavy rain.
“As soon as the water started to rise up to my waist, I peered outside and saw the water level rising,” she said, adding that she immediately gathered all of her children, aged between seven and 13, to her side.
Rahimah also revealed that two of her boys, aged seven and 11, have special needs.
“The younger one is autistic – his manner can change anytime. Fearing that he might leap out of the window, that’s when I decided that we must wade through the floodwaters to make it to safety,” she added.
Rahimah added that as soon as they stepped out of the house, floodwaters had already reached up to her neck and all of them started to swim cautiously towards the main road, from their house at Lorong 17A.
Upon reaching the more shallow part, they continued their journey on foot to Dewan R-Piang, located some 300 metres away, to seek refuge.
“We were the first to arrive here even before the relief centre was opened; I’m just glad that they (her children) are all OK,” she said, while expressing gratitude for all the assistance that she received from the security, medical and welfare agencies involved at the flood relief centre.
She also said the family did not manage to save anything from the house.
“Despite the floods receding, we still cannot go back home as there is no place to sleep, and the house would need a major clean-up,” said Rahimah, adding that her husband is currently at their house to look after their belongings.
“Our house has wooden floors and it needs to be properly cleaned and disinfected as all of my children are highly sensitive,” she said.
Visiting them at the flood relief centre late evening was Deputy Premier of Sarawak Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who assured the families there that the state government was doing its best to ensure that all of them would be well taken care of.
“Here (flood relief centre), their meals are prepared and we’re also providing them with pillows and mattresses,” said Uggah.
He also said each infant at the centre would be provided with milk formula of their own choosing.
“In other words, we try to give the best service. I would also like to thank the personnel here and the Ketua Kampung (village headman) for their efforts in providing the victims with the proper comfort,” he added.
It was informed that as at 5pm yesterday, two flood relief centres in Kuching had been activated: the Dewan R-Piang of Kampung Sinar Budi Baru with 10 families (34 victims), and Dewan Stapok with 37 families (135 victims).
In Bau, a flood relief centre had been set up at Dewan Kampung Segong; as at 5pm, it was providing shelter to two families (six victims).
Uggah also thanked the families for their willingness to move to the relief centres which are vital for their own and their family’s safety.
He also spoke about the barrage management, monitored by the Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee at Wisma Bapa Malaysia.
“We are constantly monitoring the water level in Sarawak River, and would either open or close the barrage depending on the tides,” he added.
Also present yesterday was Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, Batu Kitang assemblyman Dato Lo Khere Chiang, Padawan Municipal Council chairman Tan Kai, SUPP Women chief Kho Teck Wan, and Kampung Sinar Budi Baru headman Wain Suleiman.