KUALA LUMPUR: The number of flood victims in Sarawak rose to 319 people from 93 families as of 8am Friday (Jan 9), while figures in Sabah remained unchanged, with a total of 952 people housed at relief centres in both states.
In Sarawak, there were 105 evacuees from 37 families at 4pm on Thursday, but the number increased after seven new temporary relief centres were opened the same day.
According to the Sarawak disaster management committee (JPBN), the newly opened centres are the Kampung Bijuray Mongag Multipurpose Hall, Krokong in Bau; Kampung Betong Kanowit Community Hall; Taman Duranda Emas Hall; St Peter Simpok Hall; Kampung Lintang Baru Multipurpose Hall; SK Tanah Merah in Siburan; and SK Endap in Samarahan.
The centres at SMK Bekenu, Subis in Miri, remain in operation.
In Sabah, the number of flood victims in the Beaufort district remains at 633 people from 215 families sheltering at the permanent evacuation centres of Dewan Selagon, Dewan Residensi PR1MA Woodford Estate and Dewan Sri Dayang Shahbandar Padas Damit.
In a statement, the Sabah JPBN said the disaster has affected residents in 12 villages in the district over the past week, including Kampung Suasa, Kampung Bangkalalak, Kampung Mentulud, Kampung Naparan and Kampung Bukau.
Meanwhile, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a severe continuous rain warning from 6.30am Friday to Saturday in Sarawak, involving the areas of Kuching (Bau and Kuching), Serian, Samarahan, Sri Aman and Betong (Pusa and Betong).
A continuous rain alert has also been issued for other parts of the state, namely Kuching (Lundu), Sri Aman (Lubok Antu), Betong (Saratok and Kabong), Sarikei, Sibu, Mukah, Bintulu and Miri (Subis).
The public can obtain the latest weather updates via MetMalaysia's official website and social media platforms, the myCuaca mobile application, or by contacting the MetMalaysia hotline at 1-300-22-1638 for further enquiries. - Bernama
