Flash flood forces Lawas boarding school pupils, teachers to evacuate

MIRI (May 24): A flash flood forced SK Siang Siang boarders and teachers to leave the school in Lawas District this morning.

The Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) said the Lawas fire station received a call at 7.45am requesting help to evacuate the school.

Operation commander senior fire officer II Mazrom @ Anderson Ampahon said rescuers found that flood waters at the scene had risen to four feet (1.22 metres).

“It is estimated that 56 pupils were affected and trapped at their boarding hostel.

“They needed Bomba’s assistance to be safely evacuated,” he said in a statement.

Firefighters deployed an inflatable boat powered by a 15hp outboard engine to bring the flood victims to safety.

Also evacuated were 16 teachers, two kitchen helpers, and four school security personnel.

The pupils later returned home with their parents.

It is understood that the flood waters had begun to recede as of the time of writing.