Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah (right) showing the instant meal to be distributed to flood victims upon arrival at evacuation centres. - ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star
KUCHING: A permanent flood evacuation centre will be built at SK Beradek here with funding from the Federal Government, says Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah.
The Sarawak Deputy Premier said this would help provide shelter for flood victims without disrupting school activities, as many temporary relief centres were set up at schools.
"It's a good idea to have a permanent centre. The Federal Government has allocated funds for us to build one at SK Beradek," he told a press conference after chairing the state disaster management committee's meeting on flood preparations here on Tuesday (Dec 10).
Uggah said the committee would also look at the need for a permanent centre in other flood-prone areas.
"If there are a lot of victims in one area, such as Batu Kawa, we may recommend a place that can accommodate maybe 500 people with all the facilities," he said.
Last Sunday (Dec 8), Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said nine permanent flood evacuation centres would be set up to prevent damage to schools used as temporary relief centres.
He had said one permanent centre would be set up in each high-risk state to address high maintenance costs incurred during floods.
Uggah also said Sarawak had identified 661 temporary evacuation centres statewide which can accommodate a total of 160,819 people in the event of floods.
He said there were also 31 forward bases to store food supplies for distribution to flood victims.
"The Welfare Department will distribute ready-to-cook instant meals to flood victims as they arrive at evacuation centres, so that they do not have to wait for food to be prepared," he said.
In addition, Uggah said over 7,000 personnel from the police, Fire and Rescue Department, Civil Defence Force and Welfare Department were ready to be deployed should floods occur.
He said assets included 214 boats, 263 four-wheel drive vehicles, 32 ambulances, four helicopters and 15 drones.
"All the agencies are ready and on standby," he said.
