THE number of people seeking shelter at temporary evacuation centres in Sarawak dropped slightly yesterday. Up to 2.30pm, 12,163 people from 3,618 families were at 63 centres.

This marked a reduction of 158 people, compared with 12,321 victims up to 8am yesterday.

From the total, 11,957 were flood victims, 169 were victims of landslides in Miri and Bintulu, while 37 were victims of a longhouse fire in Kanowit.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) said Sarawak was expected to be hit by heavy rain until Wednesday.

Its director-general, Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip, said warnings had been issued for Kuching, Serian, Samarahan, Sri Aman, Betong, Sarikei and Mukah.

He said those seeking updates can visit MetMalaysia’s website or call its hotline at 1-300-221638.

In Kota Kinabalu, the flood situation in Sabah showed an improvement, with 675 flood victims from 181 families seeking shelter at four centres, up to 4pm yesterday.

The Sabah Civil Defence Force said this was a significant reduction from the 1,651 people in the morning.

MetMalaysia forecast heavy rain for Pahang, Johor, Sarawak and Sabah until the end of the month.

It said the northeast monsoon, which began on Nov 5 last year, was expected to continue until next month.

“Continuous rain can lead to floods in low-lying areas as well as locations vulnerable to floods.

“If heavy rain coincides with tidal changes, this could pose bigger risks for floods.”

It, however, said that the northern part of the peninsula was expected to receive less rainfall.

“This could lead to hot and dry weather, bringing with it the potential of a heat wave.

“The emergence of La Nina last month may reduce the impact of the heat wave,” it said.

MetMalaysia added that continuous northeast winds could lead to large waves in the South China Sea.

It said weather forecasts from January to June were based on the consensus gleaned from international and local climate survey models.