Sarawak Floods: JKR Ordered To Immediately Repair Severely Damaged Roads

KUCHING, Jan 30 (Bernama) – The Public Works Department (JKR) has been instructed to take immediate action to repair roads damaged by heavy rains and floods affecting several areas in Sarawak.

Sarawak Deputy Premier and Sarawak Disaster Management Committee chairman, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said that although the full extent of the damage to the Pan Borneo Highway has yet to be determined, repairs in critical areas must be prioritised.

"For example, at Jalan Mambong, almost half of the road has been cut off. We will carry out urgent repairs and continue monitoring affected roads across all divisions," he said after visiting a Temporary Evacuation Centre (PPS) at Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina Chung Hua Batu Kawa here today.

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Meanwhile, he added that in this challenging situation, the Sarawak government, through its disaster management committee, is actively relocating flood victims in severely affected areas of Bintulu.

"With efficient coordination, flood victims are being swiftly moved to Temporary Evacuation Centres (PPS) with assistance from the Malaysian Armed Forces and Fire and Rescue Department teams from Miri, Sibu, and Mukah.

"Sarawak’s annual average rainfall is 5,000mm, but in Bintulu alone, it has already reached 400mm in a short period, causing a rapid rise in water levels," he said.

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Uggah also urged non-governmental organisations (NGOs) wishing to provide aid to coordinate with the committee to ensure efficient distribution of assistance to victims.

-- BERNAMA