Typhoon hits Kpg Opar, damages 16 houses

Billy (third right) visiting the typhoon victims at Kampung Opar.

KUCHING, Jan 6: The typhoon that hit Kampung Opar on Tuesday evening (Jan 4) has damaged 16 houses involving almost 60 victims.

Opar assemblyman Billy Sujang said assistance of up to RM15,000 will be provided through the Sarawak Poor Home Improvement Programme (PPRMS) depending on the damage of each house.

Additional allocation, he also said, will be provided by the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) to repair the two badly damaged houses.

“The Public Works Department (JKR) is estimating the cost of repair of the affected houses and we will apply to relevant parties for immediate assistance.

“The village head has instructed villagers to work together to repair the damage while waiting allocations from the State government,” he said following a site inspection to see the damaged houses and victims at the Kampung Opar temporary evacuation centre.

Meanwhile, Billy also presented RM9,000 asa personal contribution to the victims and evacuation centre staff members for food and drink expenses.

Damaged homes at Kampung Opar following the typhoon.

Also present were Bau acting district officer Eddy Nayoi, Sarawak Social Welfare Department Director Noriah Ahmad, Bau District Police Headquarters Chief DSP Poge Nyaon, Head of Bau Fire and Rescue Station Tawang Lingem, Bau Civil Defense Force Lt (PA) Patrick Lagak Pateh, Acting Bau District Education Officer Josephine Josy Nyogia and Opar Village Chief Dewen Giam. — Dayakdaily