16 evacuated after access road in Sibu inundated by floods

SIBU (Aug 22): Firefighters evacuated 16 people from SJKC Yong Shing, Stabau and Jalan Kong Yit Khim here today after the access road was inundated.

According to Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) Zone 4 chief Andy Alie, the evacuees comprised six teachers, seven pupils, a clerk and two cleaners.

He said a distress call was received at 3.14pm and a team of firefighters from Sibujaya were deployed to the school, located 20km away.

“Upon arrival at the location (main road to Stabau), the water level was found approximately three feet deep, which is at waist level, trapping the school’s teachers and pupils as well as small vehicles. Only heavy vehicles or 4x4s (four-wheel-drive) were able to pass through.

“The operation commander conducted a size-up at the location and immediately began evacuating the flood victims to the Utility Triton and LFRT Atego, to be transported to a safe location.

“Then, the firefighters transported all the victims to the Sibu Jaya fire station. Upon arrival at the fire station, their families were already waiting to take them home,” he said.

Andy said the operation ended at 4.25pm.