KUCHING: Nine Temporary Evacuation Centres (PPS) were activated across several parts of Sarawak following continuous rainfall that triggered renewed flooding in affected areas early this morning.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said one PPS in Bekenu had been operating since Jan 4, while eight additional centres were opened this morning in Kuching (Bau), Samarahan and Serian (Siburan).
“I was informed early this morning that flooding had occurred in Serian. Following the report, the State and Divisional Disaster Management Committees, led by the Resident, were immediately mobilised,” he said in a report by the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS).
Uggah, who is also chairman of the Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC), added that evacuation efforts were carried out with the cooperation of multiple agencies, including the police, the Department of Social Welfare, the Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit (UKPS) and the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM).
“So far, evacuation operations have proceeded smoothly and no complaints have been received from the public. We are grateful for the cooperation of residents who were prepared to evacuate,” he said after a meeting at the SDMC Centre at Wisma Bapa Malaysia today.
He said newly opened PPS included the Kampung Bijuray Mongag Multipurpose Hall in Krokong, housing 20 heads of household (KIR) involving 94 evacuees.
The PPS at the Kampung Blimbin Multipurpose Hall in Krokong had yet to confirm the number of evacuees, as data collection was still ongoing.
In Samarahan, the PPS at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Endap, Kampung Endap, accommodated three families involving nine evacuees.
In Serian, PPS were opened at the Kampung Betong Public Hall in Kanowit, involving six families with 26 evacuees; SK Tanah Merah, Kampung Turong, involving 30 KIR with 95 evacuees; and SK St Peter, Simpok, involving four families with 15 evacuees.
Meanwhile, the PPS at Taman Duranda Emas Hall and Kampung Lintang Baru Multipurpose Hall had yet to finalise evacuee numbers, as updates were still in progress.
As such, Uggah said police had been instructed to monitor the safety of homes and belongings left behind by evacuated residents.
He added that the Sarawak State Health Department had also been directed to conduct health screenings at PPS and carry out disinfection spraying to prevent disease transmission, in line with established standard operating procedures.
