by DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Feb 2: The flood situation in Sarawak is gradually improving with more flood victims returning to their homes and 12 more temporary relief centres (PPS) now closed, the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) says.
In a news report by the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas), Deputy Premier and SDMC chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said a total of 63 PPS is still operating but conditions have shown signs of improvement across Sarawak.
“As of this morning, seven PPS in Kuching, one in Serian, one in Saratok, and three in Sibu have been closed, involving a total of 972 victims and 287 families.
“This situation reflects positive progress in the flood recovery efforts in the state.
“Most of the individuals who needed to be evacuated have been successfully relocated, but there are still some areas that remain cut off due to damaged roads,” he was quoted as saying to reporters during his visit to the PPS SK Sampun Tebun, Asajaya today.
According to the latest reports by SDMC and the Civil Defence Force (APM), as of 8am today, the number of flood victims has declined to 12,321 individuals from 3,685 families, compared with 13,120 evacuees from 3,828 families yesterday at 1pm.
Aside from that, Uggah said, the Public Works Department (JKR) has been instructed to assess and repair the roads damaged by the flood.
“The Federal Government has also directed immediate action to be taken to address the infrastructure damage in the affected areas,” he said.
He added, “All relevant agencies have been directed to be on standby, including the provision of equipment, manpower, as well as food and welfare assistance.
“We hope the situation continues to improve, but we are prepared to face any possibility if the floods return.”
Accompanying Uggah to the centre were Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, and Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development as well as Member of the State Legislative Assembly (ADUN) for Sadong Jaya, Datuk Ir Aidil Lariwoo. – DayakDaily
