Incessant northeast monsoon rains trigger major floods in southern Sarawak

SERIAN (Jan 10): The northeast monsoon, expected to last until March this year, has brought incessant downpours over the past two days, triggering major flooding in several areas across southern Sarawak.

According to data from the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC), Kampung Endap in Samarahan is among the worst-hit areas following continuous rainfall from Thursday to Friday.

“Kampung Endap villagers have been evacuated to the temporary evacuation centre (PPS) in SK Endap, with a total of 375 victims from 113 households.

“The numbers are expected to increase,” SDMC said in an update earlier on Saturday.

In the Serian Division, several areas in Siburan have also been severely affected by the floods, including Kampung Turong, Taman Duranda Emas and Kampung Maang.

Kampung Turong recorded the highest number of evacuees in the area, with 300 victims from 106 households currently sheltered at the PPS at SK Tanah Merah.

“At Taman Duranda Emas, a total of 203 residents from 50 households have been evacuated to the housing area’s PPS.

“Kampung Maang villagers totalling 140 victims from 33 households have been evacuated to the PPS at the village’s multipurpose hall,” SDMC said.

Balai Ringin in the Serian Division has also been affected, with 149 victims currently taking shelter at the Depo Balai Ringin PPS.

Meanwhile, evacuees from Kampung Rimba Padi in Serian, involving 142 victims from 42 households, have been relocated to the village hall.

In the Kuching Division, flooding has impacted several villages in the Bau district, namely Kampung Bijuray Krokong, Kampung Puak, Kampung Batu, Kampung Tanjung Batu and Kampung Blimbin Krokong.

“The PPS at Kampung Bijuray Mongag in Krokong currently shelters 94 victims from 24 households, all of which came from Kampung Bijuray Krokong, Kampung Puak and Kampung Batu.

“The PPS at the Kampung Blimbin Krokong multipurpose hall is housing 78 victims from 20 households, who came from Kampung Tanjung Batu and Kampung Blimbin Krokong,” SDMC said.

As at 11am on Saturday, a total of 42 PPS have been activated statewide, accommodating 3,031 victims from 876 households.