BINTULU (March 20): The Anglican Church Cemetery here is facing major issues with its poor drainage system.

Church representatives have appealed for urgent help to upgrade the system.

Tanjong Batu assemblyman Johnny Pang explained that during periods of heavy rain, rainwater and wastewater frequently mix, creating unpleasant conditions for visitors maintaining the gravesites.

“Stagnant water has been identified as a breeding ground for mosquitoes, raising significant health risks for nearby residents, businesses, and even the adjacent hospital,” he said after visiting the site yesterday.

Pang has tasked the Department of Irrigation and Drainage to draft a comprehensive plan to upgrade the drainage system.

He said the cemetery will receive Rural Transformation Project (RTP) funding and work is set to be implemented promptly.

He added the upgrade is expected to improve the cemetery’s facilities, ensuring a better environment for visitors and safeguarding the health of the surrounding community.

PEKAN: Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat (JBPM) mengawal kebakaran hutan paya gambut seluas dua hektar di Kampung Beruas dekat projek ladang solar, di sini.

Komander Operasi, Wan Samsul Effendi Wan Mahmud berkata, kebakaran mula dikesan petang semalam dan operasi memadam api dilakukan menggunakan kaedah semburan air daripada tangki jentera Bomba dan Penyelamat.

Katanya, semalam kita berjaya memadam kebakaran seluas 1.5 hektar melalui operasi mengawal api daripada terus merebak. "Tindakan pantas anggota Balai Bomba Peramu dapat mengawal keadaan membabitkan sembilan anggota

"Keadaan cuaca yang panas dan berangin menyebabkan kerja mengawal api daripada terus merebak berhadapan sedikit kesukaran," katanya, di sini hari ini. Punca sebenar kebakaran masih belum diketahui.

Wan Samsul Effendi berkata, pihaknya menasihatkan mereka yang tinggal di kawasan hutan belukar dan paya gambut tidak melakukan pembakaran terbuka bagi mengelak api cepat merebak hingga menyukarkan operasi memadam kebakaran.

Sementara itu, beliau memaklumkan kebakaran kawasan hutan paya gambut di Palma Valley dan Chenderawasih, di sini, masih tidak dapat dipadam sepenuhnya.

"Operasi memadam api di kawasan berkenaan sudah berlangsung lebih dua minggu," katanya.

KOTA KINABALU: Continuous heavy rain since Wednesday (March 19) has worsened flooding in Sandakan, forcing evacuations and rescue operations in several affected areas.

A group of nineteen people from three families were relocated to Masjid Indah Jaya after floodwaters inundated their homes in Kampung Tinusa, Kampung Jawa, Taman Fajar, Jalan Sungai Manila, and Batu 7.

Thirteen people from four families have been relocated to the temporary relief centre at Masjid Nur Hidayah, Kampung Garinono Batu 25.

Authorities have also confirmed a landslide at Jalan Cecily in Sandakan between 8:10am and 8:30am Thursday.

Civil Defence Force (APM) personnel inspected the site and found no new soil movements. The road, which was initially closed by police, was later reopened by the public.

Meanwhile, in Beluran, the District Disaster Management Committee declared a flood disaster in Kampung Sungai Nangka and Kampung Balaban at 11:00pm on Wednesday.

As of 9am Thursday, 65 people from 18 families have been evacuated to two temporary relief centres at Dewan Kampung Sungai Nangka and Dewan Kampung Balaban. The situation in Beluran is still developing, with the number of evacuees increasing.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department has issued a continuous rain warning for several regions, including Sandakan and Beluran, from March 20 to March 21. Authorities are urging residents in flood-prone areas to remain vigilant, avoid travelling through flooded roads, and adhere to evacuation orders for their safety.

The situation remains fluid, with emergency services on high alert as rescue efforts continue. In Kampung Istimewa, floodwaters reached knee level, prompting the evacuation of an elderly woman.

In Kampung Sungai Anib Batu 10, about 20 houses were submerged, with water levels rising to waist height. Some families sought shelter with relatives.

Rescue operations are ongoing in Kampung Garinono and Kampung Pertanian Batu 25, where water levels have reached five feet, cutting off access to the main road.

JOHOR BARU, March 20 — Heavy rain for several hours yesterday caused flooding in Johor, leading to the opening of 10 temporary relief centres (PPS) in three districts.

State Disaster Management Committee chairman Tan Sri Dr Azmi Rohani said 893 people from 257 families have been evacuated to the PPS as of 8 am today.

“Johor Baru recorded the highest number of evacuees with 567 people, followed by Kulai (269) and Pontian (57).

“The water levels in three rivers have surpassed the danger mark, namely Sungai Siam at Kampung Sungai Siam (20.85 metres), Sungai Skudai at Kampung Laut (4.24 metres) and Parit Keliling at Kampung Pasir (1.01 metres),” he said in a statement today.

Azmi also said rain is expected in 10 districts in Johor this morning. Meanwhile, Sandakan and Beluran in Sabah have also been hit by floods, according to the State Disaster Management Committee Secretariat.

It said that two PPS have been opened in Beluran, namely at Dewan Kampung Sungai Nangka and Dewan Kampung Balaban, while in Sandakan, Masjid Nur Iman and Masjid Nur Hidayah have also been designated as PPS.

“As of 8 am, the evacuation of flood victims to the PPS is ongoing, and the number of evacuees will be updated accordingly,” it said in a statement.

Currently, light rain is reported in Sandakan and Beluran, both located on Sabah’s east coast. — Bernama