KUCHING, Oct 12: All divisional and district disaster management committees in Sarawak have been urged to be on high alert and step up preparation for possible flood occurrences with the coming northeast monsoon season.
In a statement today, Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said such preparations would include ensuring sufficient stock of food supplies and other essential items at their food centres.
“The respective departments, which are members of SDMC, must also ensure their required facilities and manpower are ready.
“We want all these departments to be on full alert as well,” he said after attending a briefing on the flood situation in Sarawak held at the Wisma Bapa Malaysia conference room here today.
In addition, Uggah, who is Deputy Sarawak Premier and Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development, pointed out that he had directed the Public Works Department (JKR) to pay special attention to any damage to roads which could be cut off due to floods and landslides.
“Some of the roads could be riddled with potholes and will be dangerous to all users.
“I have directed JKR to be on standby, ready to repair them or to rebuild the access so that the people will be minimally impacted,” he emphasised.
This came after a stretch along the Kepajil-Beraya Bakam Road in Miri collapsed due to landslides after heavy rain on Monday (Oct 10).
Motorists have been advised to avoid the alternative road that connects to Kampung Beraya, Kampung Butir and Kampung Kejapi until remedial works are completed, hopefully in a week’s time.
Following the collapse, JKR Miri had set up road barriers and barricades to prevent vehicles from approaching the site.
State Deputy Police Commissioner Dato Mancha Ata, Security and Enforcement Unit director Dato Dr Chai Khin Chung and Welfare Department director Noriah Ahmad were among those present at the meeting. — DayakDaily
