KUCHING: All flood victims displaced by recent flooding in southern Sarawak have returned home as conditions continue to improve, with all temporary relief centres (PPS) now closed and evacuation figures reduced to zero.
The Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) said eight PPS in Kuching were officially closed at 6.00 pm today following favourable weather and receding floodwaters across affected areas.
A total of 918 evacuees from 237 families were able to safely return to their homes after days of displacement caused by rising waters.
Continuous heavy downpour since Dec 30 had triggered flooding in several low-lying areas, including Stapok, Kampung Sinar Budi Baru, Taman Malihah, Batu Kawa and Sungai Tengah, forcing residents to seek shelter at the PPS.
Meanwhile, the PPS at Dewan Masyarakat Trusan in Lawas, which had accommodated 25 flood evacuees from five families, also ceased operations at 12.30 pm today.
Despite the improving situation in southern Sarawak, SDMC said a new PPS was opened at 2.30 pm in the northern part of the state.
Forty-seven evacuees from 18 families registered at Dewan Serbaguna SMK Bekenu after floodwaters rose in Kampung Kawang and Kampung Jenggalas.
