BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (Borneo Bulletin/Asia News Network): Continuous heavy rain in the country has triggered flooding in several remote and low-lying areas in Tutong District.
Among the areas affected are the access roads around the villages in Mukim Rambai, including Jalan Rambai, Kuala Ungar, Panchong, and Benutan.
The Acting Village Head of Merimbun and Kuala Ungar, Awang Sani bin Nangkat, shared with the Bulletin that where approximately 85 per cent of the area is submerged in water.
He further said that the Kuru road area is affected with an estimated distance of 750m and a depth of up to 1.3m, making it impassable for regular vehicles except for boats.
Meanwhile, the connecting road from Rambai to Kuala Ungar, is also affected by floods, spanning approximately 3.5km with a depth of up to 1m.
He added that the homes of the residents of Kampung Kuala Ungar and Kampung Rambai are cut off from the main road, as regular vehicles cannot pass through, except for four-wheel-drive vehicles.
The road from Kuala Ungar to the four-way intersection in Panchong (Jalan Sumsum) is also affected by floods, covering a distance of 600m. Sedans are currently unable to pass through, except for four-wheel-drive vehicles or military trucks from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF).
As of Sunday (Sept 24) morning, the water level has shown a slight increase compared to the previous day, according to Awang Sani.
Awang Sani further revealed that as of that morning, a total of 56 houses were affected, with 300 residents being impacted in total.
Meanwhile, when contacted by the Bulletin, Acting Village Head of Benutan, Muhammad Hairol Mazlan Abdul Razak, explained that as of Sunday afternoon, almost 95 per cent of the roads were submerged in floodwater of an estimated 1.5m.
However, the flood situation in the Kampung Benutan area has seen a slight decrease compared to the previous day.
“At this time, the connecting road to Kampung Sengkuang can still only be used by four-wheel-drive vehicles and trucks. Meanwhile, the connecting road to Kampung Belaban from the Benutan Bridge area cannot be used by all types of vehicles because there are floodwater areas with a depth of 1.5m,” he said.
Overall, a total of 168 residents residing in Kampung Benutan are estimated to be affected. Some of them have had to temporarily stay with relatives.
Among the efforts made by village chiefs is to inform relevant parties about the water levels in flood-affected village areas.
The Tutong District Department through NDMC, the Fire and Rescue Department, and the Tutong District Disaster Management Committee (DDMC) are working together to handle the situation.
“The Community Development Department (JAPEM) are also distributing relief supplies to victims, including residences that have been inundated with flood or cut off from transportation routes,” he added.
