THE Sarawak government has warned people living in flood-prone areas to brace for a possible inundation, as continuous heavy rain has been forecast until Saturday.

Deputy Chief Minister Douglas Uggah Embas said they must prepare for a worst-case scenario – an evacuation.

“Do not wait until the water is at roof-level before evacuating.”

More than 6,700 personnel from eight state departments are on standby, along with 260 boats, 115 trucks, 270 four-wheel drives, three amphibious vehicles and three helicopters.

Uggah said 625 temporary relief centres have been identified and readied.

Though the Civil Defence Force, Fire and Rescue Department and police are tasked with evacuation, community emergency response teams will be the first responders in exceptional situations, such as if folk face rapidly rising waters and need immediate evacuation.

Uggah said these teams have been trained to monitor the situation at their longhouses or villages, and can order an evacuation when waters reach danger-level.

“They will be the first responders. No need for the villagers to wait for the bomba (to evacuate them).”

The teams will be updated with the latest situational reports, such as telemetry station readings on water levels of rivers closest to their villages.

Telemetry stations are located at all major rivers in Sarawak. For example, 20 stations are built at Sungai Sarawak, which flows through Kuching.

A water surge occurred in the fishing village of Sejingkat, about 14km from Kuching, today, following overnight rain.

The Fire and Rescue Department said some houses sustained damage, but no report of any casualty or injury.

However, Lawas district has been placed on alert following reports of flash floods. – January 11, 2022.