Floods coming...

Katibas in Song district worst hit by floods


Only boats can be used for moving about the flooded new Malay settlement scheme at Kampung Muhibbah, Jalan Bleteh.
By Famas, ET 13/12/2007

KAPIT: Many longhouses and primary schools, especially in the low-lying and flood prone areas along the banks of Katibas river were badly hit by floods. Observers said the flood situation was the worst since the big flood here in 1983.It was learnt that several primary schools, namely, SK Lubok Bedil, SK Nanga Nyimoh and SK Nanga Musah were not spared by the floods. SK Lubok Bedil was among the worst hit. Its computer rooms, school blocks and the students’ dormitory were inundated.Other primary schools in the district such as SK Temalat, SK Nanga Beguang and SK Nanga Embuau were also affected by flood waters. A secondary school, SMK Katibas was also affected.Meanwhile, a rural clinic, Klinik Desa Nanga Tekalit in Katibas, was submerged in water. Its roof top was still visible. The longhouse of Rumah Abo nearby was completely submerged in water and the occupants had taken shelter on higher grounds.The 10-door longhouse of Rumah Bundak, Nanga Miaw along Katibas river was also affected by the flood. Its verandah (ruai) and the living room were submerged in more than 5 feet of water. The flood also swept away the longhouse’s WKK (Village Clinic) hut. At Rumah Lintang, a 28-door longhouse located across the river opposite Rumah Bundak, their water pipe, which was laid across the Katibas river, was swept away by the swift current. Its wooden belian jetty, completed just two days ago, was also swept away by the fast flowing water. Also gone were its waiting shed and the longhouse’s signboard.Several other longhouses affected by floods included Rumah Pagang at Nanga Nyimoh, Rumah Serit and Rumah Nyalu at Nanga Takan, Rumah Jarop at Nanga Sepadi, Rumah Barnabas, Rumah Nyantaw and Rumah Cecelia Bunsu at Nanga Kebiaw located about 3km from Song town and Rumah Sumpeng at Nanga Entuat at upper Katibas.At Song town, the council’s football field was covered by flood water. A section of Jalan Takan was submerged in flood water, cutting off traffic links to the town. As a result, many government servants were stranded at their quarters and barracks along Jalan Takan and were unable to report for work.In Kapit, the low-lying and flood-prone areas around the town were also inundated. The areas included the new Malay settlement scheme at Kampung Muhibbah, Jalan Bleteh. Most of the families in the settlement had to evacuate to higher grounds as their homes were under water several feet high.The Marine Department office at Jalan Bleteh was also inundated. The Fire and Rescue department was at the scene to assist the flood victims during their rescue mission. The water level was rising gradually late yesterday afternoon as it continued to rain. By nightfall, many of those low-lying areas were completely flooded.Several houses at another Malay village, Kampung Baru, were also affected by floods. A section of the road at Jalan Airport was also impassable to traffic thus cutting its link to the town. The state barrack along Jalan Airport was also affected by flood.The council’s Native Rest House along Jalan Selirik, located next to the police station, was under 6 feet of water. The occupants at the ground floor moved to the top floor while the entrance to the police station was also under two feet of water.The stretch of road along Jalan Mamora to Kapit Hospital, SMK Kapit and SK Methodist was also seriously flooded causing much inconvenience to visitors, hospital staff and residents living in the area.A primary school, SK Nanga Yong reported that its field was totally covered by water. SK Lepong Baleh, SK Nanga Sempili and SK Nanga Kain in Baleh were also flooded. A KEMAS kindergarten at Sungai Sesibau was also affected. Jeffery Engkarong, attached to local KPSU (Ministry of Social Development and Urbanisation), said his longhouse at Rh. Entili (31 doors), Ng. Musa of Nanga Merit, Batang Rejang, was also affected by flood water which reached the longhouse floor early in the morning. The water was still rising, he said. They (those who had experienced floods) recalled the incident on January 30 and 31 in 2004 when flood affected some 30 longhouses and villages. In some areas, the water level reached 5 metres.Kapit District Officer Simon Japut Tiok, when contacted. assured that Kapit Natural Disaster Relief Committee was on full alert and closely monitoring the flood situation. The hotline at Kapit District Flood Operation room is 084-796322 (24 hours stand-by) and the officer-in-charge is SAO (Sarawak Administrative Officer) Mohammed Ikhmal Abdullah.Meanwhile, Mohd Ikhmal disclosed that since yesterday, he had received 11 flood reports.It was learnt that 11 temporary relief centres had been identified to provide shelter and food when needed - Dewan Surah Kapit, SK Methodist, Tadika Chung Hua, Bletih Indoor Stadium, KBSU Hostel, SK Ng. Merit at Batang Rejang, SK Kampong Baru, SK Oyan Tengah, Mujong, Rh Jugo, Sg. Melekun and Dunia Forest Camp, Batang Rejang. The 11 centres could provide shelter to some 3,800 people. Kapit Division Resident Hang Tuah Merawin, when contacted through telephone, advised those people staying at low-lying areas to exercise extra care. He also appealed to JKKK (Village Security and Development Committee) to get ready facilities such as boats to move people to higher ground when need. The committee was advised to monitor the water level and take measures to ensure safety for all concerned.OCPD Kapit DSP Entusa Iman explained that the Police Department, Fire and Rescue Department, Education Department, Public Works Department, Medical Department, Social and Welfare Department would pull their resources together to co-ordinate with Kapit District Disaster Relief Committee during flood relief or rescue operations.Entusa said the police would be monitoring the situation closely. The officer-in-charge of Bomba here Wasli Nor revealed that his department was also ready, including facilities, relief personnel and transport. Meanwhile, a spokesman from Song District Office said the District Disaster Relief Committee would be on duty round the clock.However, so far there had been no reports of causalty or substantial losses in property during the flood.


Kapit Division Resident Hang Tuah Merawin-my former boss, we were together during the infamous flood in Kuching 2003/2004