Malaysia: Evacuees rising as Sarawak floods worsen

The Star 22 Feb 16;

KUCHING: The flood situation in Kuching, Serian and Samarahan worsened with the number of flood victims evacuated to relief centres increasing to 4,381 yesterday afternoon.

Sarawak Civil Defence Department public relations officer Siti Huzaimah Ibrahim said the number of relief centres had also increased to 27, providing shelter to 4,381 individuals from 1,221 families.

She said the number of relief centres opened in Kuching and Bau remained at eight each, while in Serian, the number remained at five and in Padawan, one.

In a statement here, she said two more relief centres were opened in Samarahan this afternoon, bringing the total number of relief centres to five, all of which were in Kota Samarahan.

Meanwhile, search efforts are still underway to locate a young man who went missing while trying to cross the river during the floods in Kampung Maag, Siburan, about 30km from here.

Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department’s assistant director of operations Farhan Sufyan Borhan said the rescue team, along with the police and Sarawak Civil Defence Department, were now searching for Judus Jalina, 20, who was reported missing due to the rising floods situation on Saturday. — Bernama


Flood victims in Sarawak increase to 7,931
BERNAMA New Straits Times 22 Feb 16;

KUCHING: The number of flood victims in Sarawak has risen to 7,931 comprising 2,033 families, compared to 5,769 from 1,527 families, last night.

Sarawak Civil Defence officer Siti Huzaimah Ibrahim said the number of relief centres had also been increased to 47, from 31 yesterday.

As of 6 am today, the Kuching Division has opened 24 relief centres in Kuching district compared to eight last night, and nine in Bau district.

In the Serian Division, seven relief centres remained open in Serian district and one in Padawan district while in the Samarahan Division, six remained open in Kota Samarahan district.

Siti Huzaimah said the weather in the divisions concerned has improved as of this morning, compared to the last three days. -- Bernama