Floods spread in central Sarawak, some locations under 5 feet of water

FLOODS have spread in central Sarawak, with numerous settlements now under five feet of water.

The latest updates from the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department show that the Engkilili and Sri Aman districts are experiencing rising floodwaters. These districts are located around 200 kilometres north of the state capital, Kuching.

The worst-hit settlements include Kampung Marubong in Engkilili and the longhouses Rumah Muja and Rumah Maria in Sri Aman.

"The floodwater started entering the longhouses early this morning during a heavy downpour," the Fire Department reported.

"The water has already risen to five feet in the longhouses."

Rescue personnel from the Sri Aman fire station have begun evacuating dozens of families.

"We are taking them to a school located in the hills for temporary shelter," said a spokesman from the Sri Aman fire station.

Over the past two days, widespread flooding has affected numerous state constituencies in central Sarawak following intense downpours.

Among the badly affected state constituencies are Pakan, Bawang Assan, Kapit, and areas near Sibu town.

Floodwaters have reportedly reached more than three metres in a longhouse near Kapit.

The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department said schools such as SK Nanga Kebiaw in Kapit have been inundated. So too has Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina Hang Kwong in Pakan.

Many roads have been cut off by the rising waters.

Rescue teams have deployed boats to these locations, the Fire Department added in their updates. – August 25, 2024.