KUALA LUMPUR: Situasi banjir di Sabah dan Sarawak beransur pulih dengan penurunan jumlah mangsa banjir yang ditempatkan di pusat pemindahan sementara (PPS), namun tindakan waspada masih perlu diambil.

Justeru, Timbalan Perdana Menteri yang juga Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pengurusan Bencana Negara, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi berharap Agensi Pengurusan Bencana Negara (NADMA) boleh memulakan usaha untuk menyusun atur gerak bagi kerja-kerja pasca banjir.

Katanya, ini termasuk usaha pembaikan yang membabitkan koordinasi dan tindakan pelbagai agensi kerajaan bagi mempercepatkan pemulihan, terutama infrastruktur di kawasan yang terjejas.

"Ini bagi memastikan keadaan kerosakan yang terjadi akibat banjir berkenaan tidak mengancam keselamatan dan memberi gangguan kepada penduduk dalam tempoh yang lama," katanya dalam kenyataan di Facebook hari ini.

Dalam kemaskini setakat tengah hari ini, sebahagian besar daerah terjejas di Sarawak sudah menunjukkan angka penurunan mangsa kecuali di daerah Beluru, yang mana berlaku peningkatan bagi kemasukan mangsa terjejas ke PPS.

"Setakat laporan yang dikeluarkan pada jam 12 tengah hari ini, hanya terdapat 1,970 keluarga babitkan 6,269 mangsa yang masih berlindung di 28 PPS berbanding 9,296 mangsa daripada 2,742 keluarga pada minggu lalu.

"Bintulu mencatatkan mangsa tertinggi iaitu 3,011 orang yang berlindung di empat PPS. Sementara di Sabah, terdapat empat daerah masih dilanda banjir setakat tengah hari ini melibatkan 298 keluarga dan 963 mangsa yang berlindung di enam PPS," katanya.

Bagaimanapun, katanya terdapat satu PPS dibuka pagi ini bagi menempatkan 160 mangsa daripada 53 keluarga di daerah Membakut, berbanding hanya tiga daerah iaitu Beaufort, Kinabatangan dan Tambunan setakat semalam.

"Biarpun situasi kelihatan sudah reda, saya ingin mengingatkan semua pihak kemungkinan berlakunya luruan yang membawa hujan lebat masih ada, memandangkan Monsun Timur Laut dijangka tamat pada Mac.

"Jabatan Meteorologi (METMalaysia) pada jam 11.45 pagi ini turut mengeluarkan amaran ribut petir di beberapa tempat di Sarawak iaitu di Betong, Sarikei, Sibu, Mukah, Bintulu, Miri dan Limbang yang dijangka sehingga 3 petang ini. Orang ramai dinasihatkan berhati-hati dan peka dengan keadaan ini," katanya.

Dalam pada itu, Ahmad Zahid berkata beliau berpuas hati dengan keseluruhan pengurusan bencana di Malaysia Timur setakat ini dan menzahirkan terima kasih semua pihak yang membantu mangsa banjir serta menghulurkan bantuan dan sumbangan dalam pelbagai bentuk bagi meringankan beban mangsa.

PONTIAN: The formation of a special task force has enabled flood mitigation projects in Johor to be completed two years ahead of schedule, says Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.

The Johor Mentri Besar said the task force launched last year has been collaborating with several ministries to expedite high-impact projects across the state, including those related to flood prevention.

"Among the projects we have successfully expedited are flood mitigation initiatives. Most of these projects in Johor were initially scheduled for completion in 2029."

"However, the task force has managed to shorten the timeline by two years, with completion now expected by 2027," he said.

Onn Hafiz said this to reporters after launching the Jom Jelajah Johor programme at Kompleks Penghulu Serkat on Sunday (Feb 9).

He said the task force focuses on major infrastructure projects, including those related to roads, drainage and irrigation, and hospitals.

"These are projects that have a significant impact on Johoreans and we want to ensure everything goes well," he said.

Regarding the event, Onn Hafiz said the Jom Jelajah Johor programme aims to ensure Johoreans benefit from the state's robust economic development.

"This is one of the state government's ways to ensure that every initiative implemented in the state can be directly felt by the people."

"We are grateful that Johor’s economy is growing stronger and the state's revenue is increasing."

"However, ultimately the most important thing is to make sure that it can be felt by the people," he said, adding that it was also a good way for the public to get to know their local leaders.

KUCHING (Feb 9): The number of displaced individuals sheltered at temporary evacuation centres (PPS) in Selangau, Bintulu and Tatau districts has significantly declined, said the Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC).

In an update as at 12pm today, SDMC said the PPS at SJK (C) Tong Ah recorded 235 individuals compared to 237 at 8am earlier today.

“The Selangau Multipurpose Hall PPS recorded 46 evacuees this noon compared to 94 at 8am today,” it added.

In Bintulu, SDMC said more displaced individuals have been allowed to return to their respective homes from the PPS at Stadium Muhibbah and Dewan Suarah Bintulu.

“Stadium Muhibbah now has 402 displaced individuals compared to 407 earlier today; and at Dewan Suarah Bintulu there are currently 166 evacuees sheltered there, in comparision with 193 individuals as at 8am today.”

At SMK Tatau PPS, SDMC said almost 42 per cent of the evacuees have returned home, with 248 individuals remaining compared to 426 at 8am earlier today.

SDMC said as the flood situation improves throughout the state, three more PPS were closed yesterday evening: SMK Sebauh, SMK Bekenu and Kanowit Sports Complex.

“As such, the number of active centres throughout the state stood at 18 as at 12pm, sheltering 2, 426 individuals from 740 families.”

SIBU (Feb 9): The Sibu Water Board (SWB) has completed the urgent repair work on a 750mm diameter Mild Steel main pipe that leaked due to soil settlement in front of the Sibu Foochow Association Building and Ngu Chung Beng & Sons Corporation (Sibu) Sdn Bhd in Jalan Salim here.

In a press statement today, SWB said the repair work, which commenced yesterday, was initially expected for completion within 12 hours.

However, due to unforeseen challenges, the repair was only completed at 8.07am today, it added.

“The delay in completing the repairs was primarily due to the risk of damaging underground utilities, including electricity and telecommunications, which required careful excavation to avoid further disruptions.

“Additionally, adverse weather conditions, including heavy rain, posed significant challenges, particularly in draining water from the site before welding could proceed.

“For safety reasons, welding work could not be carried out under rainy conditions, further prolonging the repair process,” it said.

According to SWB, failure to address this critical issue promptly could have led to catastrophic pipe failure, resulting in severe and prolonged water disruptions for thousands of residents and businesses.

“If left unattended, the leak could have worsened, potentially causing infrastructure damage, road collapse, and water supply contamination.

“Immediate action was, therefore, necessary to prevent further deterioration and ensure the continued reliability of water distribution in Sibu.”

SWB said that although the repair work has been completed, water supply recovery will take some time.

“Residents in higher and more remote areas may experience a longer delay before normal water supply is fully restored,” it added.

It said those requiring urgent water supply may request water tanker delivery services.

“We sincerely regret any inconvenience caused and appreciate the public’s patience and understanding.

“Our team remains committed to ensuring the swift restoration of water supply and the reliability of the water distribution system in Sibu.”

For water tanker requests or further inquiries, contact the Sibu Water Board Hotline on 013-8106311.