RISING WATERS PUT SERIAN VILLAGES ON RED ALERT

SERIAN, Jan 10 (Bernama) -- Residents in the Serian district remain on high alert following rising water levels since yesterday, with several villages in the area classified as flood disaster red zones.

A Bernama survey found residents on full standby and ready to evacuate at any time as continuous rainfall continues to batter the area.

Kampung Tebakang Bidayuh secretary Micheal Linjet, 59, said a sharp rise in water levels since yesterday afternoon forced seven families involving 15 people to leave their homes.

However, he said evacuation to the temporary relief centre (PPS) only began this morning due to safety concerns, as darkness and rapidly rising waters overnight made earlier evacuation unsafe.

He said poor visibility and fast-rising water levels prevented evacuation last night, in line with advice from the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM).

“We waited for official instructions from the Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN), in coordination with relevant agencies, before proceeding this morning,” he told Bernama.

On preparedness, Micheal said the village had conducted flood management simulations prior to the onset of the northeast monsoon, as Kampung Tebakang Bidayuh had been identified as a high-risk area.

He said 18 members of the Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK), together with volunteers, were mobilised to ensure a smooth evacuation process, including the use of privately owned boats.

“They are also involved in monitoring, security control and preparations for a possible large-scale evacuation should conditions deteriorate further,” he said.

Village treasurer Richard Ray Riggu, 57, said water levels rose unusually fast, prompting most residents to move belongings to higher ground since last month as a precaution.

“At around 2 pm yesterday, floodwater entered my mother’s house at calf level before rising to shoulder height within about two hours, causing widespread concern among residents,” he said.

He added that the main access road to the village has been cut off, leaving residents stranded on higher ground and requiring the use of boats to seek assistance.

Meanwhile, village security bureau member George Ibau, 71, said the security team has been on standby since yesterday and began evacuating flood victims this morning, with the number of evacuees expected to increase later today as water levels continue to rise amid persistent rain.

“Security patrols have also been stepped up following reports of crocodile sightings in the area. However, the situation remains under control and no untoward incidents have occurred,” he said.

According to the Sarawak JPBN, as of 4 pm, a total of 40 PPS were opened across Kuching, Samarahan, Serian, Sibu, Mukah, Bintulu and Miri, housing 3,018 evacuees from 888 families.

-- BERNAMA