SERIAN: Authorities are keeping evacuation arrangements flexible in flood-affected areas, with additional temporary evacuation centres (PPS) to be activated based on real-time needs.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the Serian Convention Centre could be considered if existing PPS in the area become insufficient.
However, he said it was not possible to pre-determine which communities would be assigned to specific centres, as flood conditions could change rapidly.
“For example, a PPS in Kampung Slabi had to be relocated after it was flooded. Because of situations like this, we decide as and when issues arise.
“But Dewan Masyarakat Serian is currently being used as a PPS, with evacuees already housed there,” he told the media when visiting the Ranchan Hall PPS here today.
As of 12:00 pm, Serian remained the worst affected division, with 26 PPS sheltering 1,779 evacuees from 507 households, the highest number recorded statewide.
Uggah said evacuation operations were carried out on a 24-hour alert, commending the responsiveness of the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) at the divisional level and the Serian Resident, noting that evacuations had begun as early as 3:00 am.
As such, the SDMC chairman urged residents to report rising water levels immediately to the divisional resident’s office and not wait until floodwaters entered their homes.
“Do not wait until the water reaches the roof. By then, it may be too late,” he said.
On flood relief assistance, Uggah said residents who refuse to evacuate would not be eligible for flood aid (wang ihsan).
“Our policy is clear. When there are indications that water has entered a house, residents must move,” he said.
