Over 4,000 evacuated in S’wak

Thousands placed in relief centres after heavy rainfall causes floods

KUCHING: Some 4,600 people remained in evacuation centres while more than 60 schools were closed as floods inundated large areas of Sarawak following heavy rain over the past few days.

The state Education Department reported that 53 schools were closed as of 4pm yesterday, involving a total of 5,011 students and 713 teachers.

Eleven other schools were being used as temporary evacuation centres for flood victims.

In addition, 21 government clinics were also affected by the floods, seven of them being forced to close.

As of 4pm yesterday, there were 4,686 people in 27 evacuation centres, down from 5,392 people at midnight on Wednesday.

The central and northern parts of the state remained among the worst-hit areas, although the situation in southern Sarawak improved slightly.

In Stapang, near Sibu, 17 people from Rumah Jimbun were evacuated from their flooded longhouse by the Fire and Rescue Department.

They were taken in two boats to SJK(C) Tong Ah in Stapang where more than 300 flood victims were sheltering.

Four evacuation centres in Samarahan and Serian divisions were closed yesterday after floodwaters receded in the affected areas.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim said counselling teams would be placed at evacuation centres to help flood victims cope.

“The facilities are well managed with food and shelter provided, but I have often observed gloomy faces at the centres.

“It can be traumatic, leaving one’s flooded home and belongings.

“Counsellors are needed to provide emotional support and a listening ear to help the victims, especially the elderly,” she said after visiting the Serian community hall where 400 people were taking shelter.

Rohani said the para-counsellors trained by her ministry would also be sent to the centres.

“We train 5,000 para-counsellors a year, and I am now mobilising them to assist us. We also have about 400 to 500 qualified counsellors whom we will send where necessary,” she said.

Counsellors are needed to provide emotional support and a listening ear to help the victims, especially the elderly.

Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim