KUCHING: Continuous heavy rain across Sarawak has caused flooding in several divisions, with hundreds of residents evacuated in Miri, Bintulu and Kanowit, while Betong remains on alert.
In Miri, the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) reported that 375 residents from 84 families were relocated from two longhouses in Sepupok, Batu Niah.
Among them, 119 people from 27 families were evacuated from RH Lumpoh, while 256 persons from 57 families were moved out from RH Aron. Most of the evacuees were sent to relatives’ homes.
Meanwhile, Bomba also rescued four men stranded in a four-wheel-drive vehicle on a flooded stretch of Jalan Penerangan, Sepupok Niah this morning.
The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department operations centre said that they received a distress call at 9.09 am and dispatched five firefighters led by Senior Fire Officer I Awang Azwan from the Batu Niah Fire and Rescue Station to the scene.
The team arrived to find the men, three locals and an Indonesian, 26 to 44, on top of the vehicle surrounded by floodwaters and evacuated them to a safe location on Simpang Sepupok Bridge using a department boat.
Within the Miri city, flood-prone areas including Kampung Luak, Taman Tunku, Riam Jaya and Kampung Lereng Bukit are being closely monitored. Jalan Lotus in Kampung Luak recorded water levels of up to four feet, affecting several homes.
In Bintulu, overnight flooding forced the opening of a temporary relief centre at Dewan Suarah Bintulu to accommodate 56 evacuees from 14 families from Kampung Kemunting and Roselind Suang Longhouse.
Fire and rescue teams were deployed to assist affected residents and monitor high-risk areas.
Meanwhile, in Kanowit, heavy rainfall and rising waters from the Batang Rajang River inundated parts of the town, cutting off access roads including the Penyulau-Lukut route. Authorities opened a PPS at the Kanowit Sports Complex to shelter displaced residents.
Floodwaters reached up to four feet in some areas, affecting longhouse communities along Jalan Nibong Tada and extending to Nanga Ngemah.
Betong has so far not seen major evacuations, but continuous rain has prompted authorities to place the division under flood watch, particularly in low-lying areas and communities along riverbanks.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued continuous rain alerts covering Miri, Bintulu, Kanowit, Betong and other districts, warning of potential river overflows.
The Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) continues to monitor river basins and low-lying zones, noting that prolonged rainfall increases the risk of flash floods in vulnerable areas.
Authorities said the overall situation remains under control, with PPS opened only in select zones, but residents in historically flood-prone areas are urged to stay alert and prepared for possible evacuations.
Residents are advised to follow official flood-warning updates from MetMalaysia and DID, maintain readiness for evacuation, and ensure contingency plans are in place, particularly for longhouse communities and areas along riverbanks.
