Tiong calls up welfare officers to ensure help arrives for flood victims at Kampung Usaha Jaya

Tiong (right) visiting one of the flood victims in Kampung Usaha Jaya, Sibu.

By Ling Hui

KUCHING, Jan 14: Dudong assemblyman Dato Sri Tiong King Sing has called up the Sibu Division Welfare Department to ensure assistance reaches flood victims at Kampung Usaha Jaya, Sibu.

He said any help in terms of food and necessary supplies is vital as the flood has greatly affected the residents’ lives when their kitchens are in ruins and vehicles are unable to travel to the main road.

Tiong (centre) in knee-deep floodwaters while talking to local residents in the affected areas.

This was the situation he found when he personally visited the village yesterday (Jan 13) following a meeting in Bintulu.

“According to the victims, heavy rain in Sibu over the past few days flooded the drains that were already not functioning well.

“Their houses were later flooded very quickly in one-and-a-half-foot deep water. Though they’ve moved their valuable to higher places, some furniture couldn’t be moved in time, thus causing heavy losses,” said Tiong in a social media post today.

Tiong (second right) speaking to local residents who were affected by the floods.

According to observations, the Bintulu MP said water in one of the main rivers flowing to Sungai Merah near the village was completely unable to flow, and thus caused the floods.

To solve the root cause of the flood in the area, he said he would visit the river site for inspection today with some officers from the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID). — Dayakdaily