Fear of rain causing more floods in Sarawak

Authorities in the Baram district in the Miri division fear that incessant rain could trigger more floods in Bakong where 20 people had already been evacuated as of 11am today.

Bakong sub-district senior administrative officer Albania Linus Lukong said today the 20 flood victims from four families had been moved to the Beluru community hall in Bakong.

Ten of them from two families were evacuated earlier in the morning and 10 more from two families at about 10 am, he told Bernama.

"The weather is overcast with intermittent rain, and this situation can worsen the floods.

"If the level of the Baram River drops fast, then water from the Bakong River can flow into it. Otherwise, the Bakong River will continue to overflow," he said.

Albania said the security forces were standing by to evacuate more people should the situation warrant that.

The Social Welfare Department had also sent food to the flood victims, he added.

As of noon, the number of flood evacuees in Sarawak had risen to 48 from 12 families, up from the 38 from 10 families in the morning.

A spokesman of the Sarawak National Security Council said 20 evacuees were being housed at the Beluru community hall and 28 at the Sebauh community hall in Bintulu.