Floods: Over 80 Tatau areas identified as high-risk

TATAU (Nov 30): The Tatau District Disaster Management Committee has classified more than 80 locations as high-risk areas for floods and landslides ahead of the approaching Northeast Monsoon season.

The designation follows a coordination meeting on Friday chaired by Tatau district officer Calvin Ligong to bolster district-wide disaster preparedness.

The meeting convened key agencies, including the Civil Defence Force, Royal Malaysia Police, Fire and Rescue Department, Welfare Department, Bintulu Development Authority, Public Works Department, and People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela), to review readiness levels and refine response strategies.

During the briefing, Tatau police chief DSP Jame Reis revealed that 72 longhouses, two villages, nine schools, and three clinics are among the high-risk locations, many with a history of severe flooding.

He also emphasised that landslide-prone areas, particularly along interior access roads and hilly settlements, require close monitoring throughout the season.

“Agencies must adopt a proactive approach. Acting swiftly will help keep the community safe and ease anxiety among affected residents,” he said.

The high-risk zones primarily include longhouses near major river systems, settlements on low-lying floodplains, and schools that have been repeatedly affected during past monsoon periods.

Calvin stressed the critical need for fast and coordinated action, noting that several Tatau communities have a long history of being affected by sudden floods and unstable slopes.

“We must act quickly and efficiently. The Northeast Monsoon does not only bring the threat of floods but also increases the risk of landslides.

“All agencies must be fully prepared,” he said.

He also directed for all temporary evacuation centres to be fully equipped, with boats, trucks and communication systems maintained in optimum condition.

Additionally, agency focal person lists are to be updated to ensure rapid mobilisation during emergencies.

Calvin also commended the strong inter-agency cooperation demonstrated during the floods in February this year, noting that the coordinated action was instrumental in ensuring smooth and effective relief operations.