Flood Rescue Operations in Sibu

An aerial view of Lanang and Pedada areas in Sibu town which are affected by floods on Wednesday. Heavy incessant rain since Monday coupled with the king tide had caused low-lying areas in the town to be inundated.

PHOTO: BERNAMA

By Calvin Sie, ET, 14/12/2007

SIBU: “Rescue efforts had been carried out and we are always on standby to answer calls for help from flood victims,” said the captain of Rescue 991 (Sibu branch), Madihi bin Habib.Speaking to reporters at Rescue 991’s office at Jalan Fong Ming here yesterday morning, Madihi stated that Sibu Rescue 991 teams had been carrying out operations round the clock since Wednesday evening. He said four teams were involved. Madihi disclosed that his teams had received several distress calls on Wednesday night and had evacuated some flood victims to safety.For instance, at about 6.30pm on Wednesday, a call was received from a family staying at Jalan Selanggan saying that their house was already flooded and the water level had risen several feet.A Rescue 991 team was despatched to move the family to safety in the Malay Union Committee (MUC) Hall at Jalan Kpg Hilir here.At 10.15pm, a rescue team was sent to Lorong Ubah (near Camp Bumimas in Lanang Road area) to help a family trapped in a house all surrounded by water. According to members of the rescue team, the job was a challenging one as the area was notorious for having heavy floods at this time of the year.Using a rescue boat, the team managed to bring the flood victims to safety.Half an hour later, another team helped a Japanese living in Pulau Li Hua housing area to get out of the flooded area. Early yesterday around 4.00am, a family from Sabah was trapped in a car stalled near the traffic light at Jalan Wong King Hoe. The whole road was flooded and the water level was rising fast. A rescue 991 team arrived at the scene shortly afterwards to get the family members out of the car to safety.Rescue effort was also seen at Jalan Kapor where a senior citizen was helped out of her badly flooded house. Madihi said the flood victims were sent either to their relatives’ houses as requested or to the Malay Union Committee Hall which served as a temporary relief centre. Meanwhile, he called on the people whose homes were affected by floods to get ready for evacuation if the situation were to turn for the worst. Except for important personal documents, they should not worry about their belongings too much under such circumstances, he added.“Be sensitive and remain alert over the current situation. Heed orders from the related authorities. If you need to move, don’t panic. Meanwhile, take clean food and water to avoid any outbreak of diseases,” he said in his advice to the people affected by floods.Madihi said that his rescue teams would always be on standby to receive emergency calls.

Can't wait to hear if the floods would be happening in Kuching... we have always been prepared for everything.... only if the food rations at the Ops Room would be improved....he.he..he