(Kuching, Jan 30) Sarawak Deputy Premier and Disaster Management Committee chairman Datuk Amar Douglas pointed out that heavy rain and sudden river flooding have forced 720 families (2,823 people) to flee their homes in Bintulu and seek shelter in 8 temporary evacuation centers.
He stated that the disaster happened very quickly, with the Irrigation and Drainage Department reporting that Bintulu experienced an extreme rainfall of 400mm, while the average annual rainfall in Sarawak is 5,000mm, making this rainfall exceptionally high.
During an interview after visiting the temporary evacuation center at SJK Chung Hua Batu Kawa, Datuk Amar Douglas noted that this flood was not caused by a blockage in the drainage system, but by a sudden river overflow.
He also mentioned that since the disaster occurred during the Chinese New Year period, the situation became more severe.
He expressed gratitude to the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee and all teams involved in the response to the disaster.
According to the Sarawak Civil Defense Force, the temporary evacuation center at the Bintulu Municipal Centre has accommodated 174 families (658 people), while the temporary evacuation center at the Kidurong Sports Centre has taken in 70 families (260 people).
The most evacuated have been accommodated at the Muhibbah Sports Centre's temporary evacuation center, with a total of 216 families and 883 people seeking shelter there.
Additionally, the temporary evacuation center at SMK Azzuddin Ashaari's hall has accommodated 119 families (584 people), while the evacuation center at Sibiyu Community Hall has taken in 43 families (125 people).
The evacuation center at Rh Steven Ak Jeli in Tasik has taken in 34 people from 13 families, while the evacuation center at Tasik Secondary School has taken in 207 people from 60 families. Meanwhile, the evacuation center at Batu Niah Community Hall has accommodated 25 families (87 people).
He stated that the disaster happened very quickly, with the Irrigation and Drainage Department reporting that Bintulu experienced an extreme rainfall of 400mm, while the average annual rainfall in Sarawak is 5,000mm, making this rainfall exceptionally high.
During an interview after visiting the temporary evacuation center at SJK Chung Hua Batu Kawa, Datuk Amar Douglas noted that this flood was not caused by a blockage in the drainage system, but by a sudden river overflow.
He also mentioned that since the disaster occurred during the Chinese New Year period, the situation became more severe.
He expressed gratitude to the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee and all teams involved in the response to the disaster.
According to the Sarawak Civil Defense Force, the temporary evacuation center at the Bintulu Municipal Centre has accommodated 174 families (658 people), while the temporary evacuation center at the Kidurong Sports Centre has taken in 70 families (260 people).
The most evacuated have been accommodated at the Muhibbah Sports Centre's temporary evacuation center, with a total of 216 families and 883 people seeking shelter there.
Additionally, the temporary evacuation center at SMK Azzuddin Ashaari's hall has accommodated 119 families (584 people), while the evacuation center at Sibiyu Community Hall has taken in 43 families (125 people).
The evacuation center at Rh Steven Ak Jeli in Tasik has taken in 34 people from 13 families, while the evacuation center at Tasik Secondary School has taken in 207 people from 60 families. Meanwhile, the evacuation center at Batu Niah Community Hall has accommodated 25 families (87 people).