Wednesday, 19 February 2025

Bintulu flood unprecedented, says Uggah

Facebook
X
WhatsApp
Telegram
Email
Uggah speaks to reporters at PPS SJK Chung Hua Batu Kawa this morning. Also present are Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian and Minister for Women, Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah.

LET’S READ SUARA SARAWAK/ NEW SARAWAK TRIBUNE E-PAPER FOR FREE AS ​​EARLY AS 2 AM EVERY DAY. CLICK LINK

KUCHING: Bintulu is facing an unprecedented flood following heavy rainfall of up to 400mm in recent days.

Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said this when met by reporters at the SJK Chung Hua Batu Kawa temporary relief centre (PPS) today (Jan 30).  

As of 12 pm, 48 PPS have been opened across Sarawak, sheltering 6,731 evacuees from 1,832 families. In Bintulu alone, eight PPS are housing 2,823 evacuees from 720 families.  

Uggah, who is also the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman, said the state is experienced in handling flood disasters as they occur annually, but the main concern is the increasing intensity each year.  

“The flood intensity varies every year—Baram, Selangau, Kota Samarahan, Kuching—and this year, it is Bintulu.  

“Never before has Bintulu faced such a massive and unprecedented flood. The situation escalated rapidly, and according to the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) and the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID), the rainfall was about 400mm.  

See also  Normah open day on Aug 17

“Sarawak’s average annual rainfall is 5,000mm, but Bintulu alone received 400mm in a short period. This shows the intensity of the downpour. The flooding is not due to blocked drains but river overflows,” he said.

Uggah acknowledged that the extreme rainfall has affected essential facilities, but credited the Divisional Disaster Management Committee (DDMC), coordinated by the Bintulu Resident, for their swift response in mobilizing agencies and evacuating affected residents.  

“This flood poses a major challenge to DDMC, but they have done their best.

“The current situation in Bintulu is under control as the weather has improved,” he said.  

Uggah added that Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof and himself will visit Bintulu to assess the situation and oversee the DDMC’s response efforts.

Related News

Most Viewed Last 2 Days

KCH-tyt karim-1902-al-2
Sarawak Governor to grace closing ceremony of 64th State-Level Tilawah and Hafazan Competition
SLG-fire-1902-aj 2
Firefighters prevent total destruction of longhouse
MixCollage-19-Feb-2025-04-18-PM-4308
No more new Provisional Leases for oil palm plantations
KCH-zakat-1902-man1
QR code payment for Zakat Fitrah
KCH-drsim rabies-1902-np-2
Rabies remains a public health concern