TWO more flood warning stations have been proposed to close the gap in the early flood-warning systems on the country’s longest river of Sungai Rajang.

Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Douglas Uggah said there is a need to install telemetry stations at Nanga Tulie and Nanga Mujong after visiting flood victims there. 

There are currently 25 telemetry stations along the 563km river, with 11 of them nearer to Kapit.

Uggah, who also chairs the state disaster management committee, said he would push for additional early-warning systems after being briefed on the situation by Kapit division deputy resident Galong Luang.

Uggah also directed the Drainage and Irrigation Department, which manages the flood warning system, to ensure that all 500 stations throughout the state are operating to face the coming rainy season.

The stations measure rainfall and the river’s water levels.

“If the people can be alerted early to the possibility of flood, then they can prepare to minimise property loss or damage, or to move to higher ground and evacuation centres.”

On relief operations, Uggah praised the local divisional disaster management committee which he said “provided a very good service to those affected and in handling the situation”.

Uggah said he was informed that before the victims moved to the Kapit indoor stadium, the premises were sanitised in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.

And mothers who sought shelter at the evacuation centre now get to chose infant formula they prefer for their babies, instead of being given a single brand.

Kapit MP Alexander Nanta Linggi said the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs office there would also be distributing foodstuff to the victims. Linggi is the federal Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister. – September 16, 2020.