By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, Oct 16: The flood situation in Sarawak, especially in Miri division, has recovered with no more temporary evacuation centres (PPS) in operation as of today.
Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) in a report said the third and last PPS — Dewan Masyarakat Bekenu — was officially closed at 10.48am today.
The letter was issued and signed by Subis District Disaster Management Committee (DDMC) chairman and Subis District Officer Norlila Ulis.
According to a daily report by Sarawak Civil Defence Force (APM), the earliest flood reported in Sarawak was in the early morning of Oct 6 in Stabau, Sibu, with the highest water level recorded at two-and-a-half feet.
However, no temporary evacuation centre (PPS) was opened at that time as the situation was reported as under control and that flood victims, whose houses were affected, decided to stay on the upper floor of their homes.
Meanwhile, the first landslide due to flood was reported at Kampung Benawa, Marudi on Oct 7.
On Oct 9, SDMC announced the opening of the first PPS at Asrama KPSU Kapit to accommodate 16 flood victims from Rh John Ramba in Kapit. The highest water level recorded was about five feet from the main road surface.
On Oct 10, two PPS were opened at Dewan Masyarakat Sepupok Niah and Dewan Masyarakat Bekenu in Miri.
On Oct 11, PPS Asrama KPSU Kapit was officially closed, but the other two PPS in Miri recorded an increase in evacuees.
Several days later, PPS Dewan Masyarakat Sepupok Niah was officially closed (Oct 15) while PPS Dewan Masyarakat Bekenu closed this morning (Oct 16).
As of 7pm tonight, SDMC noted that while there is no active PPS in Sarawak, continuous monitoring is being carried out at several locations in Bintulu, Kapit and Miri divisions at high risk of flood.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) had so far conducted surveillance at 168 flood locations, 12 landslide sites and 18 fallen tree locations throughout Sarawak since Oct 3. — DayakDaily
