ENGKILILI: Heavy rains have caused a series of landslides and flooding in the Sekandis area of Lemanak, Engkilili, affecting several longhouses and homes in the area.
Rescue teams from Lubok Antu’s Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) and Malaysia Civil Defence (APM) were dispatched to both locations to assess the situation, conduct safety checks, and advise residents to prioritise their safety.
In the first incident, five rooms in Rh. Unsa were damaged by a landslide around 8.40 am. The landslide, triggered by continuous overnight rainfall, caused severe damage to the kitchen walls.
The affected area remains at risk as there is still ground movement, and the situation could worsen if heavy rain continues.
No casualties were reported, but residents were advised to stay vigilant and avoid the affected areas.
Simultaneously, the rising waters of the Kesit River caused flooding in a nearby standalone house, submerging the entire structure except for the roof.
The family of four living in the house was safely evacuated to the longhouse for temporary shelter until the floodwaters recede.
In the second landslide incident, which occurred at 10.43 am at Rh. Alexandee, a landslide from a nearby hill damaged the front walls of three units.
The area remains unstable due to ongoing ground movement, compounded by the persistent rainfall. Additionally, access to a nearby plantation was cut off as the landslide blocked the road.
In total, 91 people across the affected longhouses have been impacted, including 22 men, 26 women, and 28 children. Authorities continue to monitor the situation as weather conditions remain uncertain.
Residents are reminded to avoid high-risk areas and cooperate with local authorities during this period of heavy rainfall.
In both instances, the authorities urged residents to prepare for evacuation should conditions deteriorate further.
