BY JACINTHA JOLENE
KUCHING: Folk in Petra Jaya here — usually the scene of floods every monsoon season — have made early preparations, especially those living along the banks of the Sarawak River.
The villages that are often inundated with floodwaters include Kampung Bintawa, Kampung Sungai Bedil, Kampung Lintang, Kampung Tanjung and Kampung Tupong.
For Salamah Suni, 68, who is from Kampung Lintang, she said that every year, her family would always be ready everytime the monsoon approached.
“Preparing before and after the floods is important.
“It is also important for us to know where the evacuation or relief centres are so that we can contact the authorities for help.”
Kampung Tanjong resident Saloma Oje, 55, said every monsoon season, her house would be inundated with floodwaters, and her family would always be vigilant at all times.
Saloma Oje 
Saloma storing her important documents in a folder.
“We would take precautionary measures such as keeping our important documents in a safe place while the furniture would be moved to a higher part of the house.”
Besides that, they would also prepare food supplies as well as getting updated with the latest developments via radio, television or social media.
Fellow Kampung Tanjong resident Suhaili Atta believed that residents, especially in low-lying areas, should be more proactive in facing the eventuality of floods.
He added that in the age of social media, information such as weather forecast and the relevant agencies to contact was readily available.
“We also need to be prepared to move to the evacuation centres if instructed y the authorities.
“By being vigilant and working together, we can get through such natural disasters in the best possible way.”
The northeast monsoon began last Nov 3 and is expected to continue until March this year.
