KUCHING: As the floodwaters slowly recede, the people of Bintulu are left to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives.
The storm may have passed, but for many, the real battle has only just begun.
Homes, once filled with warmth and laughter, now stand coated in thick layers of mud, their contents ruined beyond recognition.
Yet, in the midst of devastation, resilience shines through.
Families, weary but unwavering, sift through the damage, searching for fragments of their past — photographs, heirlooms, anything that still holds meaning.
Neighbours lend helping hands, sharing words of comfort and hope through social media, proving that even in the darkest times, the spirit of community endures.
Based on personal posts by the people in Bintulu on Facebook and interviews, Sarawak Tribune observed that flood-affected families have begun cleaning their homes.
Augusteen Douglas Steel, 34, a resident of Jalan Sibiyu, expressed his shock at the scale of the flood.
“Living in a family home that has stood for so many years, we never expected the situation to escalate so severely,” he said.
He recounted how careful planning allowed his family to move their vehicles and important household items to safety before the floodwaters reached their peak. Fortunately, they managed to evacuate without harm.
However, for 29-year-old Marvien Howel, the flood in the terrace houses at Sungai Plan marked a disaster unlike any he had experienced before.
“Our entire residential area was submerged, and we lost almost everything – from our wooden furniture and electrical appliances to mattresses, clothing, and even two of our vehicles,” Marvien recalled.
He also shared the challenges they faced after the floodwaters receded.
“The cleanup was incredibly difficult. We received help from relatives, but the thick mud and sand left behind required bulldozers for clearing, and we didn’t have access to that kind of equipment. Basic cleaning supplies like mops, brooms, and buckets were also in short supply, making the task even harder.”
Another resident, Zildijan Aldo Mathe, 34, from Taman Bandar Jaya, faced the heartbreaking loss of nearly 90 per cent of their belongings, including clothing.
“Our main challenge now is repairing our house and fixing our cars but despite all that, I would like to thank my friends and neighbours for helping us out,” he said, adding that the road to recovery remains slow and costly, intensifying the stress of an already overwhelming situation.
For 36-year-old Helder Awek, a resident of Taman Bilangan Phase 1 Kidurong Setia, the floodwaters reached waist-high, but she and her family escaped further danger as the water did not reach the first floor.
“The water flowed quickly and carried logs from the nearby plantation. The small drains built by the developer couldn’t handle the overflow, and we face the same flash floods every year.
“The emotional trauma on my child has been the hardest part. We urgently need a better drainage system and better coordination with nearby plantations to prevent this from happening again,” she added.
Local leaders, including Bintulu MP and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing who has stepped up to assist flood victims also expressed gratitude for the support from volunteers and organisation.
“The devastating Bintulu floods have destroyed countless homes, but the real challenge starts now—cleaning up and rebuilding,” he said on Facebook.
“Many houses are left in ruins, covered in thick mud and debris. To help flood victims return home and rebuild their lives, I sincerely thank the PDP Youth and Women’s Wing, along with Persatuan Persahabatan Zong Ho Bintulu, for stepping up. Volunteer teams have been mobilised to clean affected homes.
“We are also delivering essential supplies to hard-hit areas, including the stranded Mile 6 community, and providing 500 packs of bread and 80 cartons of 1.5L drinking water to the Sebauh relief centre to ensure victims have access to daily necessities.”
Despite the overwhelming challenges, Tiong remains optimistic.
“The road to recovery is tough, with some areas still requiring wading through floodwaters, but with determination and unity, Bintulu will rise again — stronger than ever.”
Amidst the devastation, the community has rallied together, with non-governmental organisations, volunteers, and even strangers extending help.
Local authorities, government agencies, and private sectors have also stepped in to provide aid.
The Sarawak government has allocated RM10 million to the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) to assist flood victims.
