SHARON LING The Star 11 Feb 16;
KUCHING: The number of flood evacuees in southern Sarawak has risen to more than 5,000 as high tides caused floods in low-lying areas although the rain has lessened.
As at 2pm yesterday, there were 5,533 evacuees from 1,484 families in Kuching, Bau and Serian districts – up from 3,230 people on Tuesday night.
They were housed at 20 relief centres in Kuching, five in Bau and two in Serian.
By afternoon, there were no more evacuees at the Taman Malihah multipurpose hall, St Peter Bunuk, Surau Kampung Landeh, Dewan Sinaran Lumut and Dewan Kampung Bumbok centres.
Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem said the situation had improved and was under control.
“It does not affect all of Sarawak but mainly the Kuching and Serian divisions.
“In the next week or so we expect some rain but it will not be as bad as it was a few days ago,” he told reporters after being briefed by the Kuching disaster management committee at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here yesterday.
He said although tide levels were still high, the situation was not expected to be as bad because there was less rain, adding that the Kuching barrage on the Sarawak River was helping to control the flow of water.
“Repairs are being done immediately with regards to erosion and damage to roads. We expect it to be completed in the next week or so and all roads are now passable,” Adenan said.
He also said the state government would consider giving financial assistance to flood victims later.
“We are providing the usual assistance like food and clothing,” he said.
State Fire and Rescue Department director Nor Hisham Mohammad said the amount of rainfall had lessened “drastically” in the last two days compared with Sunday.
“We hope the situation will keep improving as it has stopped raining in the upper catchment area,” he said.
He advised residents in low-lying riverine areas, including Kampung Kudei, Kampung Pulo, Kampung Tupong and Kampung Bintawa, to stay alert during high tide.
“Take early precautions to put your belongings at a high level.
“For those who have difficulty moving, such as the elderly and disabled, report to us immediately so that we can evacuate them smoothly if necessary,” Nor Hisham said.
A flood victim, housewife Senorita David from Kampung Kudei Baru, said she was evacuated to the Civic Centre here with six of her family members, including her two-week-old baby girl, when the water level rose on Monday night.
“A lorry from the Civil Defence Department took us away at about 10pm. We had time to pack our belongings,” she said.
The Civic Centre sheltered some 750 people from 200 families as of yesterday morning.
2,700 evacuated due to floods
The Star 10 Feb 16;
KUCHING: Over 2,000 people have been evacuated as heavy rain brought floods to parts of Kuching and Bau districts.
As of 2pm yesterday, the number of evacuees had risen to 2,679, compared to 765 on Monday night.
State Civil Defence Department (JPAM) public relations officer Siti Huzaimah Ibrahim said the flood victims had been moved to 21 relief centres – 14 in Kuching and five in Bau.
Seven of the centres were opened on Monday night as more rain fell while two more were opened yesterday morning.
Deputy State Secretary Datuk Misnu Taha said the weather was expected to improve by the end of the week.
“According to the Meteorological Department’s forecast, the rain will lessen over the next few days until Friday. The Drainage and Irrigation Department’s telemetry stations also showed light rain in most parts of Sarawak, unlike the heavy rain over the last few days,” he told reporters after chairing a state disaster management committee meeting yesterday.
He cautioned that water levels could rise again during high tide and advised residents in low-lying areas to be on the alert.
“The public can contact JPAM if they observe the water level rising. The Welfare Department is also ready to deliver food to relief centres,” he said.
In Malacca, the flood situation continued to improve as only 119 flood victims remained at Sekolah Kebangsaan Belimbing Dalam, Durian Tunggal, Alor Gajah.
All other relief centres have been closed as flood water receded yesterday.
In Johor, only one relief centre remained open at SK Sepang Loi in Segamat, which housed 10 people from two families.
All other relief centres in Tangkak were closed yesterday evening as situation returned to normal.
Adenan: Situation in flood-hit Sarawak improving
The Star 10 Feb 16;
KUCHING: The situation in the flood-affected areas of Sarawak is under control and the rain over the past three days is expected to ease off beginning Wednesday, said Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem (pic).
He said the situation was improving and the barrage at Sungai Sarawak was helping to control the movement of water in the river.
Adenan commended all the relevant authorities for their hard work in successfully managing the distribution of aid to the flood victims, and said there was excellent cooperation.
He spoke to reporters at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here after attending a briefing given by the Kuching District Flood Disaster Management Committee.
Floods hit several places in the Kuching, Bau and Serian districts over the past few days due to rain and high tide, forcing the evacuation of 5,688 people as of this afternoon. - Bernama
Malacca Health Department moves to prevent post-flood diseases
The Star 10 Feb 16;
MALACCA: The Malacca Health Department on Wednesday began implementing post-flood disease-prevention measures.
Its director, Datuk Dr Ghazali Othman, said the phase-by-phase implementation was aimed at preventing the spread of dengue, typhoid, cholera and other diseases, and getting rid of rats and houseflies.
He said the measures included destroying mosquito breeding grounds, larvaciding and disinfecting with lysol.
Dr Ghazali advised the people to keep their houses and environment clean so that the disease-prevention programme could run smoothly.
The situation in the flood-hit area of Melaka is improving, and as at 8am today the number of evacuees had dropped to 90 at the relief centre at Sekolah Kebangsaan Belimbing Dalam Durian Tunggal in Alor Gajah. - Bernama
