KUCHING (March 30): A total of 235 heads of household from Kampung Sebemban and Kampung Tanah Puteh in the Tarat constituency have benefitted from post-flood assistance contributions.

According to a report by the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas), the handover ceremony in Serian on Saturday was officiated by Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn, who is also Tarat assemblyman.

“The assistance, comprising mattresses and pillows, were distributed to 82 recipients from Kampung Sebemban and 153 recipients from Kampung Tanah Puteh, both of which were affected by the floods,” the report stated.

During the ceremony, Sagah expressed gratitude to the agencies involved in providing aid to the flood victims.

In addition to government assistance, four non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have stepped forward to contribute mattresses and pillows.

These include the Rotary Club of Kuching Central, the Rotary Club of Kuching, The Malaysian Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the Rotaract Clubs of Swinburne Sarawak and SEGI Sarawak.

The report also noted that Kampung Sebemban and Kampung Tanah Puteh were not only inundated but also cut off from each other, as the main access road was submerged, rendering it impassable to vehicles.

Also present were Acting Resident of Serian Division Inting Nyami, Serian District Police Chief Superintendent Freddy Bian Stanislaus Bian, Political Secretary to the Sarawak Premier Damen Rejek, Deputy Chairman of the Serian District Council Neuchlos Jub, and other guests.

BEIJING: Gempa bumi bermagnited 7.3 melanda Kepulauan Tonga pada jam 8.18 malam ini waktu Beijing, menurut Pusat Rangkaian Gempa Bumi China (CENC).

Pusat gempa dipantau pada 20.30 darjah selatan dan 173.75 darjah barat.

Gempa itu berlaku pada kedalaman 10 kilometer, lapor Xinhua memetik kenyataan dikeluarkan oleh CENC. – BERNAMA-XINHUA

KUCHING (March 30): A downpour that occurred at 5pm today led to a flash flood an hour later at Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg near the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH).

The parking lot near the lobby of SGH’s in-patient block was also flooded as the water level gradually rose.

Vehicle owners parked at the area were notified to relocate their vehicles.

The flash flood, however, quickly subsided.

A weather update issued by the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) this afternoon forecasted heavy rain and thunderstorms in Kuching, Serian, Samarahan, Sri Aman, Betong, Pusa, Bintulu, Beluru, Telang Usan, Marudi and Limbang.

BANGKOK, 30 Mac:  Thailand menegaskan bahawa negara itu selamat untuk dikunjungi oleh pelancong selepas gempa bumi dahsyat melanda rantau ini, dengan menteri pelancongannya berkata bahawa tiada pelancong yang tercedera dan tiada lokasi pelancongan yang terjejas, lapor agensi berita Jerman (dpa).

Dalam satu hantaran di X, beliau berkata bahawa “perjalanan, hotel, dan acara akan berjalan seperti biasa.

“Pemeriksaan keselamatan sedang dijalankan. Polis pelancong memantau lokasi utama. Tiada pembatalan perjalanan.”

Lapangan terbang antarabangsa, termasuk di Bangkok dan di pulau peranginan popular Phuket, juga telah kembali beroperasi seperti biasa, menurut kenyataan daripada pihak pengendali.

Sebelum ini, terminal dan landasan telah diperiksa bagi memastikan tiada kerosakan.

Sektor pelancongan menyumbang 12 peratus kepada Keluaran Dalam Negara Kasar (KDNK) Thailand dan menggaji lebih daripada 20 peratus daripada jumlah tenaga kerja negara itu, menurut ucapan gabenor bank pusat tahun lalu.

Gempa bumi yang melanda Myanmar mengakibatkan 17 kematian di Bangkok setakat ini.

Sekurang-kurangnya 83 orang dilaporkan masih hilang manakala 32 lagi cedera, menurut pihak berkuasa.-TVS