Sekurang-kurangnya 124,816 penduduk terjejas akibat banjir yang melanda kawasan metropolitan, merangkumi Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang dan Bekasi serta sebahagian wilayah Banten.

Badan Nasional Pengurusan Bencana (BNPB) melaporkan, pihak berkuasa memantau situasi dengan rapi serta menyelaras usaha bantuan termasuk pemindahan mangsa, pengagihan makanan dan perkhidmatan kecemasan.

Selaraskan bantuan

Jurucakap BNPB, Abdul Muhari, berkata setakat jam 7 malam kelmarin, banjir menjejaskan 13,704 keluarga atau kira-kira 51,320 penduduk di 18 kampung dalam 10 mukim di Kabupaten Bekasi.

“Kawasan terjejas termasuk Bojongmangu, Cikarang Utara, Cikarang Timur dan beberapa kawasan lain, paras air belum surut,” katanya dalam satu kenyataan semalam.

Beliau turut memaklumkan, wilayah Bekasi dan Banten kawasan paling teruk terjejas, diikuti Jakarta dan Depok.

Bagi mengurangkan risiko banjir berlanjutan, BNPB merancang operasi weather modification dari 4 hingga 8 Mac di kawasan hulu Puncak Bogor, bertujuan mengurangkan intensiti hujan yang menjadi punca utama banjir di kawasan rendah.

“Usaha ini bagi mengalihkan taburan hujan dari kawasan berisiko tinggi untuk meminimumkan kerosakan lanjut,” kata Abdul Muhari.

Beliau juga berkata, pihak berkuasa terus menilai kerosakan dan menyelaras bantuan kepada mereka yang terjejas.

BERNAMA

KOTA KINABALU: A woman who just finished her sahur was killed when a landslide hit her home in Kampung Lok Bonu, Sepanggar, yesterday.

Sitti Harija Norulla, 53, was reported to have been buried under the landslide debris and rubble of her home in the 4am incident.

The victim’s 39-year-old son, known only as Al, said he was working at a nearby factory when the incident occurred.

He said his mother and younger brother, Zulkiman, 25, had just finished their sahur when they heard a loud noise.

“My brother said he stepped outside to check, and suddenly there was a tremor.

“He tried to pull my mother’s hand to escape, but the tremor was too strong, and he was thrown aside.

“Our house had already moved several metres from its original position.

“After that, I was contacted and I rushed home to search for my mother with the help of the villagers. We eventually found her buried under the landslide,” he said at the scene.

Kota Kinabalu Fire and Rescue Department chief Ordine Gilu said his team received an emergency call regarding the incident at 4.32am.

He said a team of 11 firefighters were despatched to the site.

HAZE blanketed the state capital here and surrounding areas yesterday as the massive fire that has been raging through a coconut plantation for nearly two weeks continued.

The tall structures in the state capital — including Menara Kuantan 188 and the Kuantan City Council complex facing Sungai Kuantan — were barely visible at noon.

Nonetheless, daily life in the state capital was not affected, with businesses operating as usual while the air quality remained at a moderate level.

However, a food stall operator, who wanted to be known as Lim Chuen, told the New Straits Times that he fears the situation could worsen in the coming days amid the hot and dry weather.

He said he had experienced the haze in previous years, which forced him and his workers to wear face masks while manning the stall.

“I hope it rains and the air quality improves.”

Although the air pollutant index (API) reading in Balok Baru, where the fire broke out on Feb 22, has shown improvement, the winds are carrying the thick smoke from the blaze towards the town centre.

Pahang Department of Environment director Wandi Yadzid Yaakob said the current wind direction has brought the smoke from the fires in Balok Baru to other parts of Kuantan.

Balok Baru — situated along the coast northeast of Kuantan — is home to plantations, including coconut plantations, and is near popular coastal destinations such as Balok Beach.

A Health Department spokesman advised people, especially those with respiratory conditions, to wear face masks when leaving their homes.

The spokesman said those feeling unwell should seek immediate medical treatment.

API readings are categorised as “good” between zero to 50, “moderate” between 51 and 100, “unhealthy” between 101 and 200, “very unhealthy” between 201 and 300 and “hazardous” above 301.

Sultan of Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah on Tuesday expressed concern over the huge fire and urged all outdoor activities to be suspended.

The peat soil fire has affected some 130ha, with firemen still fighting to put out the blaze.

KUCHING (March 6): The Sarawak Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI) has contributed RM30,000 to assist communities affected by the recent floods in Bintulu.

According to a press release, the donation was made as part of SCCI’s ongoing efforts to support disaster relief initiatives and provide aid to those in need.

SCCI president Dato Sri Abang Abdul Karim Tun Openg recently handed over the contribution to the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) which was received on behalf by Bintulu Deputy Resident Abang Zainudin Abang Turkey, at the SCCI office here.

The financial assistance will be channeled towards relief efforts to help affected residents recover from the disaster.

The flood situation in Bintulu had significantly impacted many communities, prompting various government agencies, non-governmental organisations, and private sector organisations to step in with relief assistance.

SCCI said it will continue to encourage collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors to strengthen disaster response and recovery initiatives across Sarawak.