Sarawak activates disaster operations room

KUCHING: The disaster operations room of Kuching, Samarahan, Serian, Sri Aman, Betong, Sarikei, Sibu, Mukah, Bintulu, Miri and Limbang divisions have been activated as a preparation to face the possibility of any disasters occurring in areas at risk of flood sand landslides.

In a statement yesterday, the Sarawak State Disaster Management Commit tee Secretariat said t he Meteorological Department has issued a bad weather warning ( orange stage) and alert weather warning (yellow stage) following ongoing heavy rainfall that was expected to continue in western parts of Sarawak.

Hence, the surrounding areas are expected to experience heavy rains and strong winds from Monday until Wednesday ( Dec 20), said the statement.

Areas affected by the bad weather (orange) are Limbang and Miri divisions while the yellow alert weather involved areas in Kuching, Samarahan, Serian, Sri Aman, Betong, Sarikei, Mukah, Sibu and Bintulu.

“The state operations room is on standby to receive disaster management and operation assistance information from time to time. The state operations room can be contacted on line 082- 443 991/446 991, facsimile number 082- 442 730 and email jpbn@ sarawak. gov. my,” it said.

The secretariat said all the Resident’s Offices had been asked to ensure the relief centres are equipped with basic facilities and sentry posts besides ensuring adequate operational assets that are well kept and ready to be used. —