Sarawak floods improving, Sematan relief centre closed

Sarawak has recovered from the floods and all victims at the Balai Raya Kampung Paon relief centre in Jalan Lundu-Sematan, about 100km from here, have been allowed to return to their respective homes on Friday.

Subsequently the centre was closed at 1pm, said Sarawak National Security Council (MKN) assistant secretary, Salihin Annuar.

He said beginning Thursday, the MKN Sarawak Disaster Operations Control Centre (PKOB) only operated between 8am to 10pm, compared to 24 hours a day since early January.

He said the public could continue to get the latest information on the flood situation at any time by visiting www.portalbencana.mkn.gov.my.

However, a check on the MKN portal Friday evening found no more information available on the floods.

Salihin when contacted said, there were still 151 residents of two longhouses being sheltered at Dewan Panglima Rentap in Betong and Nanga Budu health clinic, Saratok.

He said this was because their homes were unsafe for occupation following landslides caused by flooding in the area a few days ago.

He said a technical evaluation was being carried out by the Department of Public Works (JKR), the Fire Department and the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) to determine safety level the housing structure of Rh. Anji in Mupoh Baruh, Betong and Rh. Ali Krangan in Saratok.

He also admitted that the low-lying areas near rivers in several places scattered around the state were still inundated, but overall the situation was under control.

Salihin said agencies and government departments involved in managing the floods namely, Armed Forces, Police, Fire Department, Department of Civil Defence (JPAM), supported by various other agencies coordinated by the Residence Division office were still on the alert to assist should the need arises.