Sarawak's disaster preparations tested as floods hit state

KUCHING: Preparations made by the Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) over the past few months to deal with flooding during the northeast monsoon season have been put to the test after several districts in the state were inundated since last night.

Its chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said personnel from various agencies have been mobilised to ensure the safety and welfare of those affected.

"We are preparing for the worst case scenario. All government agencies are on full alert. They have sufficient manpower and their equipment is ready," he said at a press conference after chairing the committee meeting at Wisma Bapa Malaysia today.

Uggah, who is also Sarawak's deputy premier, said 4,854 personnel are involved in flood management in Sarawak, including 1,126 from the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department, People's Volunteer Corps (RELA) (868), Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) (888) and police (1,245).

As of 9 am today, four temporary relief centres (PPS) have been opened to house 139 evacuees from 34 families, Balai Raya Kampung Opar and Balai Raya Kampung Jugan in Bau district, housing 44 people from 16 families, Dewan Kampung Bedaun in Kuching (75 people from 14 families), and Dewan Suarah Kota Samarahan (20 people from four families).

Uggah said the centres are closely monitored to ensure that the needs of evacuees are met, and all Sarawak Resident offices at the divisional and district levels have also activated their respective operations centres.

The state Public Works Department is also monitoring flood and landslide-prone areas and will take immediate action should any road and bridge infrastructure be damaged, he said.

"We have also asked Sarawak Energy (the state-owned power utility) to monitor its facilities following the electrocution incident in Kelantan and to educate the local population to be vigilant to avoid untoward incidents," he said.

-- BERNAMA