Sarawak readies for potential flooding amid Northeast Monsoon forecast starting this November

KUCHING (Oct 9): The Northeast Monsoon which starts next month until March 2025 is expected to bring more rainfall to Sarawak which could result in floods, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.

“During the Northeast Monsoon, continuous rain for several days can result in low-lying areas as well as flood-prone areas to be inundated. If the heavy rain occurs simultaneously with high tide, the flood will get worse.

“According to the forecast of the Malaysian Meteorological Department, heavy rain is expected in Sarawak from December 2024 until February 2025, with the highest rainfall expected in January 2025,” said the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman in a statement today.

He said the SDMC held a meeting on Oct 8 to gear up their preparations to face the Northeast Monsoon.

According to him, SDMC is ready to face this monsoon with the involvement of agencies such as the Royal Malaysian Police, the Fire and Rescue Department and the Armed Forces with a combined strength of 9,817 personnel in addition to 295 land assets, 211 sea/river assets, 20 air assets and 269 support assets.

In terms of disaster relief supplies, he said the Department of Social Welfare has also prepared to ensure that the capacity at all storage depots, office depots and at forward bases are sufficient.

“A total of 660 Temporary Relief Centres that can accommodate 160,719 disaster victims are also ready to be used at any time,” he added.

In the meantime, a total of 332 River Conservation Projects are also implemented under the Sarawak Irrigation and Drainage Department to repair and clean the drainage system to ensure a smooth flow of water, reducing the risk of flooding, as well as improving the quality of river ecosystems.

“As the Chairman of SDMC, I have instructed all agencies in the Divisional Disaster Management Committees and District Disaster Management Committees to be prepared in terms of assets and logistics in the face of all possible disasters,” said Uggah.

He also said Residents and District Officers were also instructed to ensure that the flood operations room in respective divisions and districts are ready to be activated at any time to ensure an efficient and effective response in facing flooding incidents.

“I am confident in the cooperation of related departments and agencies to ensure disaster management machinery at all levels are running smoothly.

“Members of the community need to prepare in advance if instructed to evacuate to a safe place during a disaster, and they are also reminded to keep all important documents safe from being lost and destroyed,” he said.