Wooden bridge in Tatau collapses, residents disconnected

TATAU: A wooden bridge connecting Muput, Nangan Tau, and Penyarai localities collapsed following a lorry accident and the force of river water at Sungai Muput.

Bintulu Civil Defence Force (APM) officer Capt Mohd Johari Mohd Taufik reported that they received information about the incident on Thursday (Jan 18). A team was dispatched to assess the situation.

The collapse has severely impacted the main road leading to various localities, particularly affecting residents of Muput, Nangan Tau, and Penyarai, along with three primary schools and a health clinic in the vicinity.

According to locals, the collapse occurred around 8.30am on Wednesday (Jan 17) following an accident involving an overloaded lorry, compromising the integrity of the bridge’s structure.

Additionally, the strong current of Sungai Muput on the same day exerted further pressure on the already weakened structure, leading to the collapse.

The team discovered an ongoing forest concession project for a steel bridge adjacent to the collapsed wooden bridge. The project, initiated in 2023, remains under construction.

Capt Mohd Johari stated that emergency bridge repair work is underway, utilising surplus building materials on-site to facilitate temporary usage of the route.

The Public Works Department (JKR) is aware of the situation and will conduct a thorough assessment to estimate the construction of a temporary bridge.

Personnel from Tatau District Office, Bintulu JKR, and Tatau police were also present at the scene.

The wooden bridge collapsed following an accident and pressure from river current.