KUCHING: The Kuching South City Council (MBKS) has initiated immediate rectification works and will conduct a post-mortem after flash floods damaged parts of the Kuching Food Festival site during a thunderstorm.
Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng said he and several councillors were on-site last night to assess the affected areas, including the festival grounds.
He said clean-up work had begun last night and will continue today (July 28).
“At the festival ground, only a handful of things were affected by the flash flood, with most structures still intact. However, several performances scheduled for the evening had to be cancelled due to safety concerns.
“The stage was too wet for performances, which posed a danger to both performers and the audience. We apologise to those who were looking forward to the shows, but safety must come first,” he told Sarawak Tribune when contacted.
Wee also thanked vendors and visitors for their understanding that when events are held outdoors, it will be prone to face thunderstorms, and assured that MBKS would continue to monitor and improve safety measures to prevent similar incidents.
“Some of the things that we can rectify, or measures we can take to prevent similar problems in the event of another thunderstorm, will be addressed immediately.
“Other matters that need longer-term planning will be reviewed in the post-mortem, including the structural safety and qualifications of contractors involved in putting up the decorations and stalls,” he said.
Despite the brief disruption, Wee said was heartened to see members of the public returning to the festival grounds once the rain stopped.
“There was still a crowd even after the storm. People came and continued to support vendors and enjoyed the evening.
“I also noticed vendors showing support to one another where they were saying ‘Jia You, Jia You’ (keep going).
“This is truly a Sarawak spirit whereby when we face a problem, we face it together, we rectify it together, we overcome it together for the benefit of everyone,” he said.
He also reminded the public not to make light of the flash flood incidents or any disasters on social media.
“This is not a time for jokes or trying to gain publicity. Some people are genuinely affected. Instead of posting for fun, let’s support one another,” he said.
On the thunderstorm, he pointed out the need to take climate change seriously.
“Climate change is here. We need to get ready. It’s never too late. We need to do whatever we can to save Mother Earth.
“So, I believe everything happens for a reason. It serves as a reminder of what we can do and what we can prevent.
“And when unfortunate events happen, we must act quickly to resolve the situation instead of pointing fingers,” he said.
