With overcast skies, over 500 Long Bemang folk expected to endure further flooding

MIRI (Oct 18): Flooding at the low-lying Long Bemang longhouse in Baram entered its third day today, with conditions expected to worsen as more wet weather is expected.

In its report to the district disaster management committee, the Long Bemang Volunteer Fire Department said flooding began in the village on Wednesday.

As of 5pm yesterday, the water level had risen to 1.3 feet (0.396 metres).

“The trend is the water level will continue to rise with overcast skies,” the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) said in a statement today.

A total of 565 villagers from 103 doors of the longhouses have been affected by the flood.

A Bomba flood monitoring team from Marudi reported that the victims have chosen to stay at the longhouse but have moved to the top floor.

“Electricity supply has been cut off in flood affected areas by SEB (Sarawak Energy Berhad),” said Bomba.

Telang Usan assemblyman Datuk Dennis Ngau has previously said that this Kayan longhouse in the Telang Usan area experiences flooding at least seven times a year.