MIRI: Several areas in the city were hit by flash floods following the heavy downpours since last night.
Among the areas affected were residential areas in Senadin, Lutong, Permyjaya, Tudan and Kuala Batu 1 in Kuala Baram.
Minister of Transport Datuk Lee Kim Shin who is also Senadin assemblyman rushed to visit the areas affected by floods, including a midnight response to a call by fishermen requesting for assistance.
They said their fishing boats needed to be moved to the main road dual carriageway in front of Kampung Batu Satu as their boathouses were flooded due to king tide and stormy seas.
“I’ve requested the Public Works Department (JKR) to block two lanes of the road for the fishermen to temporarily leave their boats on the road.
“JKR team, Miri City Council (MCC) patrol team, Fire Brigade and Civil Defence teams were with me to assist in the arrangements,” said Lee, adding that they were closely monitoring the situation.
A check carried out by the New Sarawak Tribune on Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning (Jan 13), found out that flood water began to inundate several roads and areas in those affected locations.
Firemen from Lopeng fire stations led by Zone 6 fire chief Supt Law Poh Kiong were also seen arriving in Kampung Kuala Batu 1 on Tuesday night.
“In Tudan and Permyjaya, the floodwater was increasing but the roads are still passible to vehicles,” said Law when speaking to reporters at the scene.
In Kampung Kuala Batu 1, eight people from two households were evacuated to the village’s multipurpose hall on Tuesday night after floodwater reached three feet high.
“11 firemen were deployed to the village upon receiving an alert on the incident at 8.34pm and four children were amongst those evacuated,” he said.
Meanwhile, a check conducted by firemen along the Lutong-Pulau Melayu road nearby the Lutong old airstrip, the found out that the road was inundated by floodwater.
“Along the stretch of the road, there were debris and causing it not passable by vehicles and due to the situation the road has been closed to all motorists,” Law explained.
