MIRI (Jan 21): A sudden and heavy downpour from 2pm today triggered flash floods in several areas across Miri, disrupting daily activities and causing distress among residents.
Flood-prone areas like Jalan Miri-Pujut—notably in front of the Miri Central Fire Station—and Jalan Cahaya near Miri Hospital were significantly impacted.
Local resident Doreen Chia, who lives at Jalan Cahaya, expressed her growing anxiety whenever it rains heavily. “Every time it rains heavily, I feel anxious the water level will rise and enter my car porch. This time, it almost did,” she shared.
Doreen noted that despite the rain lasting just an hour, from 3pm to 4pm, water levels rose alarmingly fast. “The flash flood situation at Jalan Cahaya seems to be worsening. There’s an urgent need to address the root causes to prevent this from becoming a bigger problem,” she said.
Residents are calling for immediate action from authorities to resolve recurring flash floods, particularly in hotspots like Jalan Cahaya. Many believe that the problem stems from inadequate drainage systems that cannot handle heavy rainfall.
The flash floods have sparked safety concerns, with drivers navigating flooded roads and pedestrians finding it difficult to move around.
To mitigate risks, the public is urged to stay vigilant during heavy rainfall, avoid flood-prone areas, and report worsening conditions to relevant authorities.
As flash floods become more frequent, calls for sustainable urban planning and effective drainage solutions in Miri grow louder, with residents hoping for a long-term resolution to the issue.
