KANOWIT, March 21 — Continuous heavy rainfall has triggered severe flooding in Kanowit, with rising waters from the Batang Rajang River inundating large parts of the town yesterday.

The Penyulau-Lukut access road became impassable by 10am, cutting off movement in the area.

Peter Nyaiyang, a resident of Rumah Winston Kennedy longhouse in Nanga Sekuau, reported that he was forced to park his motorcycle on higher ground and walk approximately five kilometres home, as floodwaters reached four feet deep by 6.30pm.

Describing the situation as unprecedented, he expressed concern over the worsening conditions. “If the water level keeps rising, I might not be able to go to work in Sibu Jaya tomorrow,” he said when contacted.

“If the flood situation worsens, I must be better prepared to safeguard his family,” he added.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident, the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) received a distress call at 3.32pm regarding a hearse stranded in floodwaters along Jalan Rantau Kemiding.

A rescue team deployed a boat to ensure the coffin was safely delivered to Rumah Joseph nearby.

In Kanowit town, water levels have risen to knee height in the deepest areas, forcing most businesses to close. Several longhouses along Jalan Nibong Tada, extending to Nanga Ngemah, are also affected.

In response to the worsening situation, the Kanowit District Office has opened a temporary evacuation centre (PPS) at the Kanowit Sports Complex at 6.30pm.

Kanowit District Officer Jackline August said the PPS was opened after discussions with the Kanowit Fire and Rescue Station (Bomba) earlier.

“We have decided to open the temporary evacuation centre at the Kanowit Sports Complex to accommodate affected residents.

“I urge all relevant agencies, including the Welfare Department, Armed Forces, Police, Bomba, and Civil Defence Force, to assist in managing the centre and providing aid to those in need,” she said.

Residents are advised to remain vigilant and follow updates from local authorities as the situation develops. — The Borneo Post

PETALING JAYA – Amaran kategori kedua angin kencang dan laut bergelora dengan ombak mencapai ketinggian 4.5 meter (m) dijangka berlaku di kawasan perairan Johor Timur, Pahang, Terengganu, Kelantan, Sarawak sehingga Ahad ini.

Jabatan Meteorologi (MetMalaysia) berkata, angin kencang dan laut bergelora itu berbahaya kepada semua aktiviti perkapalan dan pantai termasuk menangkap ikan dan perkhidmatan feri.

MetMalaysia turut mengeluarkan amaran kenaikan paras laut yang berisiko membawa limpahan air laut di pesisir pantai dijangka melanda kawasan perairan Johor Timur, Pahang, Terengganu, Kelantan dan Sarawak Barat.

Bagi cuaca terkini, MetMalaysia memaklumkan ribut petir dan hujan lebat dijangka melanda kawasan perairan Johor Timur, Pahang, Terengganu, Sarawak dan Sabah Timur sehingga 1 tengah hari ini.

“Cuaca buruk ini boleh menyebabkan angin kencang dan laut bergelora dengan ombak mencapai ketinggian 4.5m dan berbahaya kepada semua aktiviti perkapalan, menangkap ikan dan perkhidmatan feri,” jelasnya. – KOSMO! ONLINE

SINGAPORE, March 20 — Singaporeans will have access to air-conditioned cooling spaces in community centres, residents’ committees, and selected indoor sports halls during extreme heat conditions, as part of a national heatwave response plan.

The Mercury Taskforce, a newly formed inter-agency group comprising 37 public agencies, including the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Social and Family Development, introduced the plan yesterday, Channel News Asia (CNA) reported.

The initiative aims to coordinate responses across sectors when a heatwave is forecast.

According to CNA, a heatwave in Singapore is defined as three consecutive days where the highest temperature reaches at least 35°C, with a daily mean of no less than 29°C.

When such conditions are expected, the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) will issue a joint advisory outlining precautionary measures.

The report added that in addition to public cooling spaces, schools, outdoor sports facilities, and eldercare centres will reduce physical activities between 11am and 4pm.

It also said schools will also implement more relaxed dress codes, and eldercare residents will be closely monitored for signs of heat stress and dehydration.

Existing workplace safety measures will remain in place, including a requirement for workers performing heavy physical labour to take a 10-minute shaded break each hour.

While recent monsoon conditions have brought rain, Singapore is entering its hottest period of the year, typically from March to May.

Last year was the country’s warmest on record, with an April mean temperature of 29.4°C.

Officials expect above-normal temperatures this season, with a 60 per cent chance that averages will exceed 28.4°C.

Authorities stress the importance of public awareness, urging Singaporeans to take necessary precautions as the country adapts to a warming climate.

KUANTAN: Kebakaran di kawasan seluas 113 hektar hutan gambut di Pekan sejak 7 Mac lalu, mungkin berpunca daripada pembakaran terbuka.

Ketua Polis Pahang, Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman, berkata kebakaran itu tiada kaitan sebarang aktiviti tidak sihat terutama kes penyalahgunaan dadah.

Siasatan awal mendapati kawasan kebakaran itu bukan lokasi penagih dadah. Kawasan hutan gambut dan ladang itu terletak dalam tanah kerajaan dan milik persendirian.

"Kita juga bertemu ketua kampung dan dimaklumkan tiada maklumat mengenai kehadiran penagih dadah di kawasan terbabit," katanya ditemui selepas melawat bazar Ramadan di Tanjung Lumpur petang semalam.

Pada 16 Mac lalu, Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat Malaysia (JBPM) mendakwa kejadian kebakaran itu berpunca daripada perbuatan manusia terutama individu yang disyaki terbabit dalam penyalahgunaan dadah.