Uggah orders JKR, DID to monitor landslide, road collapse areas following heavy rain

KUCHING (Feb 22): Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas has instructed the Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR) and the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) to closely monitor areas damaged by landslides or road collapses following recent heavy rain.

Uggah said immediate action must be taken to ensure affected roads are repaired and made accessible as soon as possible to prevent further disruption to the public.

“We want all relevant departments to pay close attention and take swift action if there are roads cut off due to landslides or rising water,” he said after visiting the Temporary Evacuation Centre (PPS) at Masjid Darul Istiqlaal here on Sunday.

The PPS housed 18 families comprising 65 victims from Kampung Sungai Maong, who were evacuated after water levels rose following continuous rain on Friday (Feb 20).

Uggah said the state goverment remains on alert as the Northeast Monsoon season typically brings flooding between January and March.

“Even if the weather appears to have improved, we cannot take things lightly. Rain can fall unexpectedly and cause flooding within a short period,” he stressed.

He added that all State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) offices, as well as disaster management committees at divisional and district levels, have been directed to remain on standby, along with agencies such as the Civil Defence Force (APM), Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), police, military and district offices.

Uggah also commended the team involved in evacuating the Kampung Sungai Maong victims.

“Our priority is to avoid any unwanted incidents. I thank the victims and community leaders for their cooperation during the relocation process.

“All evacuees at the PPS are safe and food supplies have been provided. We hope the weather remains favourable during the fasting month,” he added.

The PPS at Masjid Darul Istiqlaal was officially closed at 12.30pm on Sunday, as the situation has improved.