KUCHING, Dec 23 — Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah today said that all the relevant government departments and agencies have been placed on full alert to assist flood victims and place them in temporary evacuation centres.
He said SDMC has been informed by the Meteorological Department that there will be heavy rains, starting today, especially in western Sarawak.
“About 6,000 personnel from the various departments, including the police, Fire and Rescue Department, People’s Volunteer Corps and Health Department, have been put on standby to assist the flood victims.
“Our priority is to save lives and to ensure that the flood victims get food supply in areas that are prone to flooding,” he told reporters after chairing the SDMC meeting here.
“Our meeting today is to update on the flood situation and to get feedback on the ground if there are any problems.
“So far so good as far as the preparation is concerned, especially in providing temporary evacuation centers and foods and drinks,” Uggah, who is also the deputy premier, said.
He said the centres have been opened at Kampung Jugan and Kampung Opar in Bau district and Kampung Bedaun in Kuching district, stocked with food and other essential items.
“We would like to assure the flood victims, partly the elderly and the sick, that they will be closely monitored to ensure that they receive the necessary medical treatment,” he said.
Uggah also directed the Resident’s Offices of the 13 Divisions of Sarawak to reactivate their operations rooms while the state Public Works Department has been directed to monitor road conditions and areas which are prone to erosion.
He said the JKR must be ready to carry out repair works on the damaged roads and bridges.