Gloomy Gawai for Long Lellang folk as flash flood hits
MIRI: It was a dreadful first day of Gawai Dayak for the Kelabits in Long Lellang when flash floods hit their village in the wee hours.
According to headman Penghulu Freddie Abun, the villagers woke up around 3am and were shocked to see that their area was already inundated – some parts were submerged under five feet of water.
“The gushing floodwater really caught the villagers by surprise. It swept away many properties, including their livestock animals and food from their granaries.
“At the time, I was in Miri – I immediately took the first MASwings flight available to go and evaluate the situation there,” he said, adding that the journey by land from the city to Long Lellang would have taken more than eight hourse.
He noted that several hours after being hit by the flash flood, the water had begun to recede but by then, the damage had been done.
“The villagers lost so many things – longboats, timber, firewood, drums containing fuel, livestock animals. We’re left with no choice but to seek other food sources; otherwise, we would’ve starved.”
Worse still, Freddie said two of the three suspension bridges linking Long Lellang A with B collapsed and were swept away by the strong currents in the swollen river.
“Now we’re only left with one (suspension bridge), and we have to use it carefully. This is the worst flooding that we have experienced since the one in 1963 – although there have been several small floods that hit after long periods of heavy rain,” he added.
Freddie hoped that relevant authorities and also members of the public could come forward and provide aid to the victims.
“We welcome assistance of any kind. For contribution, call me at 019-855 0193 or email to ngarawe@hotmail.com.
Long Lellang is located in Baram and it has a small population of more than 100, comprising 45 households.
The gushing floodwater really caught the villagers by surprise. It swept away many properties, including their livestock animals and food from their granaries. — Penghulu Freddie Abun, headman