10 000 Hit By Floods At Sibuti In Miri Says Mp

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Sibuti MP and deputy health minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni said the flooding is the worst to have hit the constituency in years. (Facebook pic)
PETALING JAYA: More than 10,000 residents from about 50 longhouses and villages at Sibuti in Miri, Sarawak, have been affected by floods, says its MP, Lukanisman Awang Sauni.
Lukanisman, who is also the deputy health minister, said the flooding is the worst to have hit the constituency in years.
“We do not have electricity or water supply, or telecommunication services … we are cut off from everything.
“Hence, it has been difficult to get information in and out,” he said in Miri today, The Borneo Post reported.
Lukanisman said two temporary relief centres have been opened in Sibuti, but the centre at Arena Sibuti, the first to open, has been inundated with floodwaters.
He said the flood victims at Arena Sibuti had to be relocated to the one in Bekenu, and there are plans to open more temporary relief centres in the next few days, including in Kampung Bungai and Kampung Selanyau.
He said another major challenge is disrupted access to the affected areas. Several main roads have been cut off, forcing rescue and aid missions to use the Pan Borneo Highway via Bakun and Samalaju to reach Batu Niah and the surrounding areas.
“Because of the diversion, aid takes longer to reach the victims,” he said, adding that requests have been made for assistance from the Miri police and army.
“We also have volunteers who are tasked with locating the 77 students sitting for their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examination on Monday.
“Yesterday, we managed to locate two students of SMK Riam Miri in Bekenu who got stuck in the floods. They were here for their school holidays, and the team has evacuated them so that they can sit for the exam,” he said.
He also said the flood victims need more blankets, pillows, towels and mattresses. - FMT

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