KUCHING: Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas has reminded residents staying in flood-prone areas to evacuate to temporary relief centres (PPS) when instructed by authorities.
As of 12pm, 26 PPS have been opened across Sarawak, sheltering 1,257 evacuees from 330 families. More PPS are expected to open if heavy rain persists.
The Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman said all response teams are in full force, carrying out preparations and evacuating affected residents.
“I advise all residents in low-lying areas to remain on standby and relocate immediately when instructed by authorities.
“This is necessary to save lives. Some are still reluctant to evacuate, but I hope they will not be.
“So far, the people are used to evacuating and they are happy with the support services provided at the PPS,” he said when met at the Sarawak-level Chinese New Year Open House at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) today.
He assured that SDMC at the district and divisional levels, have already prepared all PPS statewide.
“We have also instructed all agencies under SDMC to ensure that everything, including food, is well-prepared for evacuees.
“We are doing our best to make them as comfortable as possible. We sympathise with their situation,” he said.
On another note, Uggah said this year’s flood situation is marginally better than last year’s, as some areas that typically experience flooding, are not flooded this time.
“Compared to last year, the situation is slightly better, as some flood mitigation projects have been completed,” he said.
