Flood: Sarawak sets up 627 evacuation centres, equipped for 162,000 disaster victims

KUCHING: The state is prepared to accommodate up to 162,000 disaster victims across 627 Temporary Evacuation Centres (PPS), particularly in anticipation of potential Northeast Monsoon (MTL) flood disasters.

In stating this, Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah stressed the importance of preparedness, acknowledging the imminent change in weather.

“We are aware that the weather will change soon. This means that we must be prepared to face the situation,” she said.

She said this after inspecting preparedness for facing the MTL flood disaster at PPS Dewan Sinaran, Kpg Sg Lumut, here today (Dec 30).

Based on Fatimah’s inspection, she revealed that the area could accommodate up to 20 large families in the event of a MTL flood disaster in the future.

“Based on today’s inspection, we currently have only two small cubicles provided in this PPS. So, we want to ensure that there are at least 20 small cubicles here.

“In terms of arrangement, we want to ensure that it is suitable for activities for children, comfortable for resting, prayer spaces are available, and registration places for victims are established,” she said.

She added that the PPS would also provide a place for health treatment and offer counselling sessions to the victims.

“We need to be in the third gear now, fully prepared to face this disaster.

“This requires our preparation as the disaster committee, whether at the state, district, division, or village level.

“From the preparation of food supplies to transportation, we are all ready,” she explained.

Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) Sarawak director Khairul Najib Ibrahim was also present during the inspection at the PPS Dewan Sinaran, Kampung Sungai Lumut.