Flood in Sibu....

Floods in Sibu

Motorcyclists and a pedestrian braving the waters at Jalan Kpg. Nyabor in the town centre.
By Calvin Sie, ET, 13/12/2007

SIBU: Sibu town was flooded yesterday morning without any warning causing massive traffic jams and inconvenience to many.
There was no heavy downpour on Tuesday night or early yesterday morning and the people here were shocked to find the town flooded when they went to work.
Some people believed that the continuous rainfall in Kapit and upstream areas during the past few days might have caused the water level of Rejang River to rise and overflow its banks, resulting in the flooding of the town.
Areas like Jalan Maju, Jalan Khoo Peng Loong and Jalan Temple near to Sibu wharf were under a few feet of water.
Others said a ‘king tide’ had been responsible for the flooding.
At first, when the drains in town became full with water, most were not worried.
They assumed it was the normal phenomenon during periods of high tide until some parts of the town and roads were under two to three feet of water causing some people to panic.Massive traffic jams were later observed along main routes in town such as Jalan Pedada, Jalan Pahlawan, Brooke Drive, Jalan Kpg. Nyabor, Jalan Central, Jalan Wong Nai Siong, Jalan Aman, Lanang Road and roads in Upper Lanang area.
Other roads reported to be affected by flooding included several parts of Oya Road, Jalan Tiong Hua, Jalan Hua Kiew, Jalan Wong King Hoe, Jalan Tong Sang, Jalan Perpati, Jalan Salim, Jalan Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce, Jalan Kiew Nam, Jalan Stabau-Durin and other outskirt areas.
It was learnt that many workers especially from outside town areas could not report for work because of floods and some factories had to temporarily cease operations due to a shortage of available manpower for the day.
Meanwhile, police personnel could be seen along some of the flooded roads helping to prevent chaos as vehicles tried to crawl along. There were some minor mishaps on the road such as cars which skidded off the road because the driver could not see where they were going as the roads were covered by water. Some motorcycles got stuck in the middle of the flooded road while some car engines also stalled.
Some housing estates around town were said to be badly affected by rising waters which prompted calls for Rescue 911 teams to be around for emergency operations.
So far, there were no reports of serious damage to property or any causalty.
Some parents in town said it was fortunate that their children were having their school holidays or else they would have problem in taking them to school.

Never assume, always be prepared, it might not rain in Sibu but the raising water is caused by discharge of water/heavy rainfall in Kapit...

I still get the jitters when it rains, bad experience of rain and on stand-by duty...