Flash floods hit Sarawak

Univista Garden in Kuching was one of the worst affected areas hit by the flash floods. - ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star

KUCHING: Flash floods hit several low-lying areas in southern and central Sarawak since pre-dawn, Sunday, after almost three days of incessant rain.

According to the National Security Council, so far, 56 people have been evacuated in Mukah, a seaside town in central Sarawak, about a two-hour drive from Sibu.

In the state capital, incidents of flash flooding have occurred at several residential and commercial estates.

One of the worst affected areas here is at Univista Garden, between the city centre and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, where waters were about three-feet high around 10am.

Resident Abang Rosman told The Star that flood waters entered his house around 4am.

The Army and Fire and Rescue personnel helping affected residents move their household items at Univista Garden near the Kuching city centre on Sunday morning. - ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star

"It happens every monsoon season. We were prepared but it is a hassle," Rosman said.

Another resident Dayang Hummida Abang Rahman blamed the drainage system.

"The drains are too small. It only took 30 minutes between the drains becoming full and water entering my house," she said.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department has issued an "Orange Stage" heavy rain warning for the divisions of Kuching, Samarahan, Sri Aman, Betong, Sarikei, Sibu, Mukah and Bintulu. 

The forecast is for the rain to persist until Monday.

According to data from the Irrigation and Drainage Department, areas in Kuching recorded between 30mm and 98mm of rainfall since midnight.