MIRI: A heavy downpour caused flash floods and brought traffic to a standstill in the city at 5pm yesterday in what is said to be the worst flash floods experienced this year.
The floods rose to knee level, catching many people and vehicle owners off-guard.
Miri is prone to flash floods, especially after a heavy downpour.
Among areas hit by flash floods yesterday were the city centre, Saberkas Bulatan, Luak Bay, Pujut area, Miri By-pass road and Tanjong.
The two-hour incessant heavy rain lashed several areas which caused the floods.
Several areas, especially along Jalan Raja, experienced floods for the first time, probably due to poor drainage.
Most of the roads were impassable to traffic with the water rising to 2 feet high.
City Mayor Adam Yii said he had instructed engineers from the city engineering department to go to the ground to check the situation.
“The checks will help us determine whether the flash floods that hit most of the areas in the city centre were caused by works on the sewage treatment project currently in progress,” he said.
At press time, no injuries or casualties were reported.
Miri Fire and Rescue Department chief Supt Law Poh when contacted, said, his men were deployed to the affected areas to monitor the situation.
Meanwhile, a resident, Councillor Karambir Singh said in some residential areas houses were affected by the flood waters.
He said a Miri City Council team was on the ground to monitor and assist those affected at various points around the city.
The situation returned to normal by late evening around 7.30pm.
He said the fact that the water receded quite fast after the rain stopped and that most of the roads were free of any debris on the road after the flood receded probably indicated there was very little drainage blockage issues in the city built up areas.
