Floods hit several areas in northern S’wak, no evacuation for now

MIRI – Two longhouses of the Kayan community in Baram, namely Long Bemang and Long Atip, have been hit by floods since yesterday.

Miri Fire and Rescue Department acting chief Ahmad Nizam Sapaiee said a total of 530 residents living in the 100-door Long Bemang longhouse have been affected by the floods.

“Information received as of 11am today (October 10) stated that the water level in the area was about four feet high with a rising trend.

“However, the situation remained under control and no evacuation was needed thus far,” he said in a statement.

Nizam added that the electricity supply in Long Bemang had been switched off for the safety of the locals.

As for Long Atip, Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau said the flood in the longhouse area this time is “extraordinary”.

“Therefore, I urge the relevant agency to go to the ground to offer any necessary assistance,” he said, adding that some 100 of the total 2,000 residents from over 100 households in Long Atip are still residing at the longhouse.

As of this afternoon, the floodwater level in Long Atip was around five feet high with a rising trend.

Besides Baram, other areas affected by floods in the northern region of Sarawak included Rumah Sumob, Saeh Putih in Niah.

Monitoring by fire and rescue personnel from Batu Niah station found that the village residents were in a safe condition and the floodwater level was at two feet high and had gradually receded under the fine weather.

Other than Rumah Sumob, two other villages in the Subis district, namely Rumah Richard and Rumah Jelanie in Saeh, have also been hit by floods following heavy rain from Saturday night until yesterday afternoon, said Miri Civil Defence Force officer Mirwan Shah Masri.

As of this afternoon, the water level at Rumah Richard was at about one-foot high with a decreasing trend while at Rumah Jelanie, the floodwaters had completely receded.

“The flood situation is still safe and under control, and no temporary evacuation centre has been opened as of this afternoon,” added Mirwan.

As of this afternoon, the state Disaster Management Committee had also reported that five areas in the Miri division have been hit by floods.

The five areas include Kg Subak, Kg Tiris, Kg Pintasan, Kg Dagang and Kg Hunai, which are all located in Bekenu. – Borneo Post Online, October 10, 2022