The collection of data on properties damaged by floods in Sarawak will begin today, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said yesterday.

He instructed residents’ offices in the seven affected divisions to submit reports detailing the damage.

“This is crucial to assess the losses suffered by flood victims,” he said after visiting the temporary relief centre at Ranchan Multipurpose Hall.

“We do not have an estimate of the damage, so we will start collecting data tomorrow (today),” said Uggah, who also chairs the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee.

The reports will cover damage to both public and private properties, and the state and federal governments have allocated funds to assist victims.

At the Balai Ringin temporary relief centre, Uggah said 63 relief centres had been set up across the seven divisions, accommodating 12,692 flood victims from 3,696 families up to Friday night.

“We received reports that conditions at the centres are improving, with victims provided food, blankets, pillows and other essentials.

“The Welfare Department also reported that two elderly flood victims fell ill and have received medical treatment.”

He added that the Welfare Department would transport essential supplies to Kampung Merakai, which has been cut off by the floods.

“We are monitoring the situation to ensure food and essentials reach affected villages. If water levels continue to rise, residents will need to evacuate.”

As the state Infrastructure and Port Development minister, Uggah has instructed the Public Works Department to repair 20 damaged sections of the Pan Borneo Highway between Serian and Balai Ringin.

Meanwhile, two relief centres in Bau have been closed as flood victims returned to their villages.

“I am pleased to see water levels receding in most areas, and I hope there will be no further heavy rain,” he said.

MIRI: Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has announced an additional allocation of RM10 million for the State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) to aid in the ongoing flood relief efforts in the state.

With this allocation, he said JPBN would be able to distribute aid to all affected areas.

“There is already an allocation for JPBN, but I am adding another RM10 million so they can assist all affected areas,” he said on Friday after visiting the Malaysian Red Crescent temporary relief centre, which is sheltering residents of Kampung Lereng Bukit who were displaced by a landslide three days ago.

He said the floods in Sarawak were not due to drainage issues, but the impact of climate change.

“The floods are caused by an extraordinary rainfall over the past few days, followed by continuous rain, which coincided with the high tide phenomenon.”

He also said the flooding in Bintulu was the worst in 30 years and drew parallels between the floods in Sarawak and the wildfires in California, attributing both disasters to climate change.

According to the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), Sarawak remains the hardest-hit state, with 13,302 victims from 3,906 families seeking shelter in 71 centres across 17 affected districts up to 4pm yesterday.

Bintulu recorded the highest number of evacuees at 4,811, with a slight decrease in the figure.

Other affected districts include Serian (2,597, increasing), Selangau (1,056, stable), Asajaya (860, decreasing) and Tatau (727, stable).

Areas like Siburan (623, stable), Miri (526, stable) and Subis (505, increasing) have seen a mix of increasing and stable numbers, while some districts like Sebuyau (429, increasing) and Simunjan (180, increasing) reported rises in displaced families.

Sabah, meanwhile, recorded 1,702 victims from 563 families, with 14 centres operating across five districts. This includes Pitas (806 evacuees, stable)

Other affected districts include Lahad Datu (514, stable), Paitan (215, increasing) and Beaufort (110, stable).

Paitan and Lahad Datu have seen a rise in the number of evacuees, while other districts like Beluran and Kota Marudu have experienced minimal changes

The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) said a monsoon surge was expected from Tuesday to Friday, potentially bringing heavy and continuous rainfall to Sabah and Sarawak.

In a statement, it said analysis of the latest weather forecasting models indicated that the surge could lead to adverse weather conditions in the affected areas.

In response, MetMalaysia has issued a strong wind and rough sea warning for South China Sea waters, which will be in effect during the same period.

MORE than 37,000 personnel from various agencies have been deployed to manage the flood situation in Sabah and Sarawak, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said in a statement that the efforts were coordinated by the District Disaster Management Committee (JPBD) and the State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) in the affected states.

“In Sarawak, more than 23,000 personnel from agencies such as the police, armed forces, Fire and Rescue Department, Civil Defence Force, Social Welfare Department and Health Ministry are involved in flood management.

“This is supported by logistical assets, including 526 land assets, 214 sea and river assets, 15 air assets and 269 support assets.”

He added that in Sabah, 14,209 personnel had been mobilised, supported by 977 land assets, 463 water assets and 16 air assets.

Zahid, who also chairs the Central Disaster Management Committee, expressed satisfaction with the coordination undertaken by the authorities.

“I extend my deepest gratitude to all response agency personnel in Sabah and Sarawak, who are working tirelessly to ensure that the safety, comfort and health of disaster victims remain under control,” he said.

Zahid said with improving weather conditions, personnel, in collaboration with non-governmental organisations and the community, can focus on postdisaster recovery and repair efforts.

“The government has allocated initial funding to all states and response agencies for operations during the 2024/2025 northeast monsoon. This includes ensuring temporary relief centres (PPS) are equipped with adequate basic facilities for flood victims.”

He also called for the registration and verification process for victims to be simplified and expedited to prevent delays in the disbursement of Bantuan Wang Ihsan.

“I will instruct the National Disaster Management Agency, as the secretariat to JPBP, to continue monitoring the preparedness of all agencies involved at all levels in disaster response.”

He reminded the public to remain cautious. “The public is advised to prepare an emergency bag, evacuate to designated PPS immediately when instructed, seek higher and safer ground, prevent children from playing in floodwaters, drains, mining pools, water bodies and rivers; and avoid touching electrical equipment, cables or wires.”

He added that the National Disaster Control Centre would continue to monitor the situation.

Banjir di Sarawak terus merekodkan peningkatan jumlah mangsa yang ditempatkan di pusat pemindahan sementara (PPS) manakala di Sabah jumlah mangsa tidak menunjukkan perubahan ketara, setakat 8 pagi semalam.

Di Sarawak, keadaan banjir semakin memburuk dengan mangsa banjir meningkat kepada 12,486 daripada 3,648 keluarga di 62 PPS, berbanding 11,234 orang daripada 3,187 buah keluarga malam kelmarin.

Menurut laporan Sekretariat Jawatankuasa Pengurusan Bencana Sarawak, daerah Bintulu kekal mencatatkan jumlah mangsa tertinggi dengan 5,885 orang daripada 1,649 keluarga, diikuti Serian seramai 2,307 mangsa (709 keluarga), serta Samarahan dengan 2,005 mangsa (670 keluarga).

Bilangan mangsa yang agak tinggi turut dilaporkan di daerah Sibu dengan 1,163 mangsa daripada 293 keluarga, sementara di Miri pula merekodkan 650 mangsa (172 keluarga), Kuching dengan 475 mangsa (153 keluarga), manakala seorang mangsa dicatatkan di Mukah.

Di Sabah, jumlah mangsa banjir meningkat sedikit kepada 5,216 orang daripada 1,820 keluarga, berbanding 5,195 orang daripada 1,797 keluarga, malam kelmarin.

Sekretariat Jawatankuasa Pengurusan Bencana Negeri Sabah melaporkan 33 PPS masih kekal beroperasi di sembilan daerah.

Kota Marudu kekal mencatatkan jumlah mangsa tertinggi iaitu 2,944 orang daripada 1,095 keluarga, diikuti Pitas dengan 806 mangsa (298 keluarga), Lahad Datu 514 mangsa (136 keluarga), Telupid 288 mangsa (75 keluarga), Paitan 238 mangsa (85 keluarga), dan Kota Belud 207 mangsa (67 keluarga).

Daerah lain yang terjejas ialah Beaufort 108 mangsa (31 keluarga), Beluran 57 mangsa (20 keluarga) dan Tongod 54 mangsa (13 keluarga).

Jawatankuasa itu melaporkan trend pemindahan mangsa di daerah Pitas menunjukkan peningkatan manakala daerah-daerah lain kekal tidak berubah.

Sementara itu, Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pengurusan Bencana Daerah (JPBD) Kota Marudu Meirin Sugara yang juga Pegawai Daerah

Kota Marudu berkata bencana banjir di daerah itu dijangka pulih sepenuhnya berikutan cuaca baik semalam.

Sehubungan itu beliau berkata, penduduk dibenarkan pulang secara berperingkat dan Komander Operasi Bencana sudah diarahkan untuk menyelaras kekuatan anggota, aset dan logistik di PPS bagi memastikan operasi penghantaran pulang mangsa banjir ke rumah masing-masing.