Schools in Sibu, Kapit closed due to floods

SIBU (Aug 23): Nine schools in Sibu and three in Kapit were closed today due to floods, said State Education Department director Datu Dr Azhar Ahmad.

“Sixty-five schools were affected and 12 of them had to be closed today due to the floods,” he told The Borneo Post.

The affected schools are SK Nanga Assan, SJK Chung Ung, SJK Keng Nang, SK Sungai Menyan, SK Sungai Salim, SK Nanga Pak, SJKC Yong Shing, SJKC Sing Ming and SJKC Kwong Kok in Sibu; as well as SK Nanga Kain, SK Nanga Bena and SK Nang Kebiaw in Kapit.

On a related matter, Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) Operations Centre informed that a temporary evacuation centre opened at Kanowit Sports Complex yesterday at 11am, after discussion with the police and Kanowit District Office in view of the rising water level.

As of 1.25pm, the total number of evacuees at the Kanowit Sports Complex evacuation centre stood at 24 people, comprising 18 adults and six children.

Earlier, it was also reported that Rumah Leo, Nanga Lipus in Kanowit was inundated and that the access road to the longhouse was under two and a half feet of water, making it impassable for any vehicles.

An observation by The Borneo Post noted that some portions of Jalan Khoo Peng Loong were still inundated.

It was also noted that the compound of some houses near riverbanks in Kampung Datu, Kampung Hilir and Kampung Nangka here were inundated due to high water level.