KUCHING: Flash floods and landslides have prompted the opening of 14 new temporary relief centres (PPS) to accommodate 1,097 evacuees from 294 families yesterday (Jan 28).
These centres were opened following 18 villages inundated by floodwaters and two villages affected by landslides across Bintulu, Serian, Siburan, Simunjan, Kuching, Bau and Miri.
According to the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) Secretariat, the number of evacuees is expected to increase due to non-stop heavy rainfall since Monday (Jan 27).
In Bintulu, 109 evacuees from 33 families were relocated to PPS Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) Kidurong sports centre after their homes in Setinggan Sungai Plan were inundated by waters.
Meanwhile, in Serian, 484 evacuees from 139 families were evacuated to seven PPS namely Dewan Balu Gambang Tebakang Bidayuh, Dewan SK Tebekang, Dewan Selabi Entukuh, SK Pangkalan Sorak, Dewan Kampung Lintang Baru, Dewan Masyarakat Serian, and SK Tanah Merah.
The affected villages are Kamoung Tebekang Dayak, Kampung Tebekang Melayu, Kampung Lingga Tebekang, Kampung Selabi Entukuh, Kampung Sorak Melayu, Kampung Lintang Baru, Kampung Hulu, and Kampung Turong.
In Siburan, 25 individuals from six families in Kampung Betong Kanowit were moved to Dewan Balai Raya Betong Kanowit for temporary shelter.
In Simunjan, 73 flood survivors from 28 families were relocated to Dewan Mesra Simunjan after floods have affected Jalan Tun Openg, Kampung Sungai Raya, Kampung Lintang Hijrah, Kampung Hijrah Fasa 2, Kampung Hijrah Fasa 1, and Kampung Simunjan Jaya.
Here in Kuching, 145 residents from 37 families in Kampung Rantau Panjang have been evacuated to SJK (C) Chung Hua Batu Kawa following rising waters.
In Miri, a total of 139 residents from 26 families were moved to Pusat Bulan Sabit Merah after landslides affected their homes in Kampung Lereng Bukit and Kampung Satu Malaysia.
In Bau, about 17 residents from seven families were relocated to Dewan Pangkalan Bau after their homes in Kampung Pangkalan Bau were affected by flash floods. Though the number of evacuees are not confirmed as the registration process is still ongoing.
Authorities are continuing to monitor flood-prone areas as heavy rainfall persists, with rescue agencies on high alert to assist those affected.
