Floods worsen in Sarawak

Temporary sleeping tents at the relief centre at SMK Tabuan Jaya in Kuching.

KUCHING: Seven flood relief centres have been opened in and around the state capital as of noon Thursday.

As of 7pm, there are 437 evacuees from 167 affected families at four relief centres in Kuching and three in Samarahan.

The worst affected area is Stapok, on the outskirts of the city. The relief centre there currently has 112 evacuees, including five toddlers and one handicapped person.

The other shelters at Bako, Taman Sri Setia, Kampung Tambirat and community halls in Samarahan.

A water level station at Batu Kitang on Sungai Sarawak Kiri is currently at the alert stage.

Nearly all rain stations in southern Sarawak have received "very heavy" rainfall since midnight. The Siol station reported 252mm of rainfall, followed by the Third Mile station with 224mm.

According to the Drainage and Irrigation Department, rainfall of more than 60mm within two to four hours typically cause flash floods.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department (Met) has issued a "heavy rain, orange stage" warning for most of coastal Sarawak, from Lundu to Mukah. It said rain was "expected to continue until Jan 1".

A "first category strong winds and rough seas" warning was issued at midnight just as it began to rain.