Floods: Over 1,800 evacuated in several areas in S'wak

Volunteers helping to pack up cubicles at the Taman Malihah flood relief centre, which also became flooded at about 2am Thursday (Jan 14). The evacuees were moved to another relief centre nearby. — ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star

KUCHING: Some 1,826 people have been evacuated in Sarawak after heavy rain coinciding with the king tide flooding low-lying areas in Kuching, Bau, Samarahan, Serian and Miri.

The state Civil Defence Force (APM) said 1,179 people were sheltering at 12 flood relief centres in Kuching as of noon Thursday (Jan 14).

The affected areas included Taman Desa Wira, Taman Malihah, Batu Kawa 38 Commercial Centre, Kampung Sejijak, Kampung Sinar Budi Baru and Kampung Batu Kitang Jaya.

Another 11 centres have been opened in Bau district for the flood-hit areas of Kampung Bogag, Kampung Jugan, Kampung Barieng, Kampung Tringgus, Kampung Pangkalan Melayu, Kampung Segong, Kampung Tanjong Batu and Kampung Buso.

In Serian, 452 people have been evacuated to six centres, while two centres each have been opened in Samarahan and Miri for 95 and 29 victims respectively.

State Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian reminded flood evacuees to observe Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs) at relief centres to prevent the possibility of new clusters.

He also advised those in double-storey homes to move to the upper floor instead of an evacuation centre, if it was safe to do so.

"I told my people in Batu Kawa, this is not going to be an ordinary flood evacuation but evacuation with Covid-19 around.

"Minimise people staying close together in evacuation centres. Told them those with two-storey house, if only the ground floor is flooded and it is safe, opt to stay in the house," Dr Sim said in a Facebook post.

He said they could still register as flood victims to receive assistance from the government.