KUCHING: Flood conditions across Sarawak showed further improvement today, allowing more than 1,200 evacuees to return home following the closure of 12 temporary evacuation centres (PPS).
The Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) said a total of 1,244 evacuees from 368 families were permitted to leave the centres after floodwaters receded in several affected areas.
The PPS closures were confirmed in a state disaster update issued at 4.00 pm. Following the closures, the number of operational PPS statewide dropped to 28.
However, one new centre – Dewan SMK Bukit Assek in Sibu – was opened to accommodate six evacuees.
SDMC said PPS Dewan Mesra Simunjan in Simunjan was the first to cease operations at 8.00 am, followed by PPS Dewan Masyarakat Gedong at noon.
At 1.00 pm, all three PPS in Kota Samarahan – Dewan Lenggai Kampung Entiggan, Balai Raya Kampung Nangka and SK Endap – were officially closed.
This was followed by the closure of seven PPS in Siburan and Balai Ringin at 2.00 pm.
The centres closed in Siburan were Dewan Serbaguna Taman Duranda Emas, Dewan Serbaguna Kampung Batu Gong, Dewan Serbaguna Kampung Kerumboi, SK St Peter Simpok and Dewan Serbaguna Kampung Mundai, while those in Balai Ringin were Depo Balai Ringin and Balai Raya Ensebang Padang Bilon.
Despite the improving situation, 2,808 evacuees from 865 families remain at evacuation centres statewide, although the overall evacuation trend continues to decline.
As of the latest update, Serian recorded the highest number of evacuees with 1,227 people at 12 PPS, followed by Siburan with 447 evacuees at three PPS, Selangau (238 people at one PPS), Bintulu (235 people at one PPS), Sebauh (182 people at two PPS), Dalat (163 people at one PPS), Miri (154 people at three PPS), Balai Ringin (80 people at one PPS), Tebedu (69 people at one PPS), and Sibu (13 people at two PPS).
