SARAWAK disaster management committee preparations over the past few months to deal with flooding during the northeast monsoon season have been put to the test after several districts in the state were inundated last night.

Committee chairman Douglas Uggah Embas said personnel from various agencies have been mobilised.

“We are preparing for the worst-case scenario. All agencies are on full alert. They have sufficient manpower and their equipment is ready,” he said in Kuching today.

Uggah, the Sarawak deputy premier, said more than 4,800 people are involved in flood management in Sarawak.

As of 9am today, four temporary relief centres have been opened to house nearly 300 evacuees from Balai Raya Kampung Opar and Balai Raya Kampung Jugan in Bau, Dewan Kampung Bedaun in Kuching, and Dewan Suarah Kota Samarahan.

Uggah said the centres are closely monitored, and all Sarawak Resident offices at divisional and district levels have also activated their respective operations centres.

The state Public Works Department is also monitoring flood and landslide-prone areas for damage to roads and bridges, he said.

“We have also asked Sarawak Energy to monitor its facilities following the electrocution in Kelantan and to educate the local population to be vigilant,” he said. – Bernama, December 23, 2022.