BINTULU: Bintulu is experiencing one of its worst floods in recent years, triggered by continuous heavy rain and a king tide today (Jan 29).
The floods have severely impacted residential areas and forced many families to evacuate to higher grounds or temporary relief centres (PPS).
Numerous photos and videos circulating online show affected residents pleading for rescue from their flooded homes, floating debris and waters reaching dangerous levels.
The Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) said in Bintulu, 143 evacuees have been relocated to two temporary relief centres (PPS) at BDA Kidurong Sports Centre and Rh Steven Jeli in Tatau.
However, as of 4pm, authorities have opened three additional PPS in Bintulu—Balai Raya Jepak, SMK Tatau, and Stadium Muhibbah—though the exact number of evacuees remains unconfirmed.
Emergency response teams are still on the ground, providing aid to the affected victims and managing the crisis. It was reported that Bintulu is still experiencing heavy rainfall, as at 5pm.
Meanwhile, a woman took to Facebook to seek help in locating her missing grandfather, who is in his 80s.
“Need help! Have you seen this person?
“Firefighters and my dad have searched the whole house, but my grandfather is nowhere to be found. He might have panicked and left due to the flood,” she wrote.
In a separate incident, a 12-second video clip went viral on social media, claiming to show a dashcam recording with an emergency siren warning of an incoming tsunami.
However, netizens debunked the claim, revealing that the video originated from TikTok and was actually recorded in 2022.
Checks by Sarawak Tribune confirmed that the original video was uploaded in July 2022, and the so-called emergency siren was a tornado sound effect.
