Dr Chan visits Batu Kitang weir

Dr Chan looking at the water flowing over the Batu Kitang Weir. Also in the picture are Wilson (second left) and Sung (right). PHOTO: RAMIDI SUBARI

By Harun Jau (Eastern Times,4 December 2007)

KUCHING: Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam yesterday visited the weir (wall or barrier across to control the flow of water) at the Sungai Sarawak Kiri at Batu Kitang here yesterday to check the water level there.
He was accompanied by State Secretary Datuk Amar Wilson Baya Dandot, Kuching Resident Rodziah Binte Morshidi, Kuching Water Board’s general manager S.E Sung, Kuching Barrage’s manager Captain Goh and officers from the relevant agencies.
Speaking to reporters during the visit, Dr Chan, who is also the chairman of the State Disaster Relief Committee, expressed his relief that the water level in the Sungai Sarawak Kiri as measured at the weir had gone down.
“It (water-level) is getting lower at about 1.5 metres above the weir. This morning, the water-level was about 3.5 metres above the weir, which was considered quite dangerous,” he said.
Dr Chan also said that the flood warning systems installed at the various locations were all in good working condition. “The system at the Kuching Barrage is also working very well.”
He said the flood operations room in Kuching was open round the clock but those in other divisions were not eventhough they had been told to do so.
“Only Marudi experienced flash flood a few days
ago but it only lasted for two to three hours and those evacuated had returned home.
“In Kuching, some kampungs were also affected by flash flood for only about one hour or so.
“The situation in Kuching is under control due to the barrage,” he said.
Evacuation directives would be issued when the water level was over 10 meters above sea level, he added.