Widespread floods in interior Sarawak

MIRI: Widespread floods have inundated numerous settlements in northern and central Sarawak, following heavy rain over the past 24 hours.

Long Busang village in the vicinity of Bakun Dam in central Sarawak is totally submerged in about three metres of water.

At least 1,000 villagers have been evacuated to higher grounds.

In the Baram district in northern Sarawak, at least 10 different populated settlements, plus a government clinic and two schools are also flooded.

Long Sobeng, SK Long Sobeng, Long Luyang, Klinik Ulu Teru, Rh Matthew, Rh Sigat, Rh Abok, Rh Henry, Rh Kalong and SK Pengarang Entri are under about a metre of water.

In the Tinjar sub-district, low-lying riverside villages along Sungai Teru are also being hit by floods.

  

Heavy downpour since two days ago have seen river tributaries overflowing their banks.

Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department said in its latest updates that the Bomba stations in the various affected districts are on full alert.

Bomba units on the ground are already deployed to all the flooded sites to help the affected residents coordinate orderly evacuation.

The State Disaster Relief Committee is also deploying Civil Defence personnel to the flood-hit district.