Saturday January 12, 2013

Situation under control despite ongoing downpour, says Ops Room

KUCHING: The first three days of heavy rain throughout Sarawak resulted in evacuation of eight people in two families as at 5.30pm yesterday.

The families had to move out after a flash flood hit their houses at Kampung Bidayuh Lusut in Miri.

“The water rose to four feet (about 1.3m) so the families were relocated to the nearest fire station at 3am. They were moved to a community hall after that,” said a spokesperson from the state Ops Room.

No storm, just rain: School students walking in the rain in Kuching yesterday.

She said the flash flood occurred following continuous downpour the night before and not because of the tropical storm Sonamu.

One of the families returned home in the afternoon (yesterday), she said, adding that the Ops Room did not receive any report of floods elsewhere.

Although tropical storm Sonamu dissipated early Thursday, the Malaysian Meteorological Department yesterday issued a yellow stage warning of heavy rain which is forecast to last until today.

The department warned that intermittent rain (occasional to moderate) was expected to occur here, in Samarahan, Betong, Sri Aman, Sarikei, Sibu, Mukah and Bintulu throughout the whole day.

“This condition can cause floods in low-lying areas,” it stated.

In a separate statement, the state National Archives Department said it would assist other departments to save important records and documents from floods.

Its director Norsuriaty Awang Hassim said the department was responsible for identifying, acquiring, keeping and conserving all types of government and other documents for posterity.

News

Saturday January 12, 2013

Situation under control despite ongoing downpour, says Ops Room