Two schools closed due to floods
SIBU: SK Sungai Naman and SK Ulu Sungai Sengan in Dudong area were forced to close yesterday by floods which inundated the access roads, affecting about 150 pupils.
The roads were under several feet of water following heavy rain.
In a press statement, Malaysia Civil Defence Force (APM) Sibu said the road to SK Sungai Naman, which has 52 pupils, was under two feet of water, rendering it impassable to motor vehicles.
State Education director Rakayah Madon said classes could not be conducted because the children could not reach the school, which has 13 teachers and two non-teaching staff.
The statement also said the road to SK Ulu Sungai Sengan was also under a few feet of water, and the situation was compounded by fast flowing current.
SK Ulu Sungai Sengan has 101 pupils, 13 teachers and two nonteaching staff.
Meanwhile, Sibu Division Disaster Relief Committee chairman Hii Chang Kee, who is the Sibu Resident, said the King Tide had occurred in the past few days.
Irrigation and Drainage Department (DID) Sibu divisional engineer Ting Sing Kwong, on the other hand, urged those staying in low-lying areas to be vigilant though the floods caused by the King Tide this time were not expected to be high.
Saying the King Tide is expected to touch its highest level of one metre this month, Ting feared that the situation could worsen if there is heavy downpour.