KUCHING: Fine weather and receding floodwaters at two villages in Siburan allowed 61 flood evacuees to return home today (Mar 3).
This was confirmed by the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) Secretariat in a flood update report at 4pm.
Two temporary relief centres (PPS) namely Dewan Serbaguna Kampung Lintang Baru and Balai Raya Kampung Betong Kanowit, were therefore officially closed at 3pm and 4pm.
The closure was signed off by acting Siburan district officer Ranum Bari allowed the evacuees from 17 families to return to their villages.
As at 4pm, the number flood survivors at PPS in five districts, decreased to 1,452 from 1,511 at 12pm.
The SDMC Secretariat said that 12 PPS remained open namely six in Kuching, two each in Bau and Balai Ringin, and one each in Siburan and Lundu.
It was reported that the flash floods occurred due to continuous heavy rain since Friday night (Mar 1), prompting the opening of these centres between 8am on Saturday (Mar 2) and 12am on Sunday (Mar 3).
In Kuching, a total of 1,199 evacuees from 313 families are currently sheltered in Dewan R-Piang PPS, Dewan Masyarakat Satok PPS, Dewan Taman Malihah PPS, SJK Chung Hua Batu Kawa PPS, SJK Chung Hua Sungai Tengah PPS and SJK Chung Hua Sejijak PPS.
Meanwhile, in Bau, a total of 91 evacuees from 21 families have sought temporary refuge in Dewan Kampung Segong PPS and Balai Raya Kampung Senibung PPS.
As for Balai Ringin, a total of 41 individuals from 13 families are sheltering in Balai Raya Kampung Melayu Balai Ringin PPS and Dewan Serbaguna Kampung Ensebang Padang Bilon PPS.
The SK Pasir Tengah PPS in Lundu is providing refuge for 87 individuals from 21 families while, the Dewan Serbaguna Kampung Mundai PPS in Siburan is housing 39 individuals from nine families.
It is understood that more survivors will be able to return home soon once conditions at their respective villages or residential areas have improved.
