KUCHING: The Kuching North City Hall (DBKU) has switched into high alert as the monsoon season intensifies, rolling out an extensive flood-readiness operation that stretches from city centre back lanes to riverbank villages known for sudden water surges.
DBKU Mayor, Datuk Hilmy Othman, said they are leaving nothing to chance this year, with a strengthened disaster management structure, rapid-response teams on standby and a fleet of machinery positioned across high-risk zones.
He added that their teams are working closely with the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC), Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), police, Civil Defence Force (APM), Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) and other agencies to ensure assistance can be deployed without delay.
“At the same time, DBKU’s 24-hour Service Centre (PK24J) is operating as the nerve centre of the city’s flood readiness effort. Through CCTV networks, ‘Bantu Unit’ and ‘Ronda Unit’, personnel will be monitoring potholes, clogged drains, rising river levels and other issues.
“CCTV feeds from Boyan, Satok and other strategic points allow ‘Bantu Unit’ personnel to watch for rapid rises in river currents, while ‘Ronda Unit’ will sweep neighbourhoods day and night checking for clogged drains, potholes, flash-flood triggers and fallen-tree hazards.
“This real-time surveillance covers 28 zones within DBKU’s jurisdiction, ensuring early detection before flooding begins,” he said at a press conference on Thursday.
Hilmy stated that DBKU has positioned a full range of machinery and equipment across key areas such as backhoe loaders, a tipper truck, nine covered lorries, mobile high-mast lighting towers, a pickup truck, a rescue boat, a tractor, tree-clearing tools, flood-level markers and a generator for backup power.
“These assets are intended to support evacuation work, clear blocked drains and remove fallen trees to keep roads safe and navigable during heavy rain.”
Apart from that, DBKU has identified 22 hotspots that are prone to flooding – Kampung Pulo-Bintawak-Sourabaya Ulu, Kudei Baru, Jalan Hospital, Padang Merdeka, Kampung Gita Laut, Kampung Pinang Jawa, Kampung Sungai Maong, Kampung Buntal, Telaga Air, Kampung Bako, Kampung Semerah Padi, Kampung Tupong Ulu dan Jaya, Kampung Astana Lot, Kampung Lintang and Kampung Sungei Bedil.
DBKU teams will be monitoring water levels in these locations closely, alongside ongoing efforts to clear major drainage channels to ensure smooth water flow.
To support residents who may need to be relocated, Hilmy pointed out that there are 56 temporary relief centres (PPS) on standby in Pantai Damai, Demak Laut, Tupong, Samariang and Satok constituencies.
He advised the public to remain alert to weather updates, avoid flood-prone areas during heavy rain and keep their important documents in safe places.
Flood-related issues can be reported to DBKU’s hotline at 082-446644 or via WhatsApp at 016-8864466.
