Over 200 in Sarawak, Malaysia, moved due to floods

[senorpepr]

KUCHING, Malaysia: A village in Samarahan division was evacuated Saturday while some areas in Bau district were cut off by floods following heavy rain since Friday evening.

About 200 people from Kampung Pengkalan Kuap in Samarahan were evacuated to the homes of relatives or neighbours as there were no schools or community halls in the area.

National Security Department director Mansor Omar said the flooding began at 3am yesterday due to heavy rain.

The floodwaters were 1.5m to 1.8m high but were now receding, he said.

Bau, Jalan Bau-Serikin, Jalan Kampung Peninjau Baru and Jalan Kampung Buso were cut off by floods and the department was monitoring the situation, he said.

“We are on standby and we will activate the operations rooms to evacuate the residents if necessary,” Mansor said.

Meanwhile, the state Meteorological Services Department said 244.6mm of rain had fallen in the Kuching division from 5pm on Friday to 10am yesterday.

More rain had been forecast for the next few days with Kuching, Samarahan, Sri Aman, Betong, Sarikei and Mukah divisions expected to have moderate to heavy rain in the mornings.

Isolated rain had also been forecast for all divisions in the afternoons and evenings.