SERIAN – Sarawak Deputy Premier and Chairman of the Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee (JPBNS), Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, conducted on-site inspections at several Temporary Evacuation Centres (PPS) in the Serian Division following unexpected flooding triggered by continuous heavy rainfall since Thursday.
The visit, carried out on Friday, focused on assessing conditions at PPS Dewan Taman Duranda Emas in Siburan and PPS Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Tanah Merah, also in Siburan.
The inspections aimed to ensure the safety, welfare and basic needs of evacuees were being adequately addressed amid rapidly changing weather conditions.
At Dewan Taman Duranda Emas alone, a total of 188 individuals from 48 families were relocated after floodwaters rose suddenly in the early hours of the morning, reportedly as early as 3am. Residents were forced to leave their homes with little notice as water levels increased at an alarming rate.
Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah described the incident as among the most severe and unexpected flooding events to affect Serian in recent years.
He noted that the speed at which the situation developed posed significant challenges to emergency responders and local authorities.
As of Friday, eight PPS had been activated across the Serian Division to accommodate displaced residents. These include the Kampung Betong Kenewit Public Hall, SK Tanah Merah, Kampung Sungai Turong, Kampung Lintang Baru Multipurpose Hall, Taman Duranda Emas Hall, SK St. Peter Simpuk, Kampung Kerumboi Multipurpose Hall, Kampung Rimba Padi Hall and Sri Tok Nan Hall in Kampung Seniawan Jepon.
In addition to flooding, the disaster has caused wider infrastructure disruption. Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah confirmed that authorities had received reports of 15 landslides and 13 road closures across the division.
He said discussions had been held with the Division Engineer and the Serian Public Works Department (JKR), and that response teams had already been deployed to clear debris and carry out urgent road repairs.
He explained that Dewan Taman Duranda Emas was not originally designated as an official PPS, but had to be utilised as an emergency measure due to the absence of suitable alternatives nearby.
Initial challenges involving toilet facilities and water supply were encountered, but these issues were resolved with assistance from local agencies and councils.
On public health measures, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah said medical personnel had been mobilised to conduct health screenings at evacuation centres to reduce the risk of infectious diseases such as fever. Preventive fogging operations were also implemented to minimise the threat of dengue outbreaks.
Addressing the possibility of future preparedness, he said the Serian Division Resident would be instructed to carry out a detailed evaluation of Dewan Taman Duranda Emas.
The assessment will consider whether the facility should be officially registered as a PPS and whether infrastructure upgrades are required.
Meanwhile, residents in flood-prone areas, particularly in southern Sarawak including Kuching, Serian and Kota Samarahan, were urged to remain alert and to comply promptly with evacuation directives issued by authorities.
“We understand the victims’ concerns about the safety of their homes and property, but the police have given assurances that they will monitor the abandoned areas,” he said, stressing that cooperation from all parties was essential to prevent untoward incidents.
Those accompanying the Deputy Premier included Puncak Borneo Member of Parliament Datuk Willie Mongin, Sarawak Deputy Secretary to the State Government (Administration) Datu Felicia Tan Ya Hua, Serian Division Resident Caroline Cleophas Joseph, Serian Division Deputy Resident Abdul Khalid Manap, Siburan District Officer Ranum Bari, and Padawan District Police Chief Superintendent Mohd Irwan Hafiz Md Radzi.
