VIENTIANE: Natural disasters affected 217,168 people in Laos in 2024, with damage totaling over 6 trillion kip (some US$279 million).

In 2024, Laos experienced 69 extreme weather events, including storms, fires, lightning, floods, landslides, drought, and earthquakes.

The disasters resulted in 58 injuries, 17 fatalities, 6,432 partially damaged houses, and many others completely destroyed, Lao Army Television reported on Wednesday (Jan 22).

Flooding and landslides damaged 32 national highways, 46 provincial highways, 82 district roads, 195 rural roads, six municipal roads, 31 bridges, and 10 waterworks.

Additionally, 41,027 hectares of land were flooded and 4,349 livestock affected.

A total of 118 irrigation systems, 126 schools, eight health centers, and 86 water bodies were also damaged.

KUALA LUMPUR - Pihak berkuasa telah melakukan pemeriksaan susulan kejadian tanah runtuh di Jalan Belaga Menjawah, Sarawak, yang dilaporkan berlaku pada jam 10.31 pagi Ahad, kata Menteri Kerja Raya, Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.

Nanta menerusi hantaran di Facebook pada Ahad memaklumkan pihak berkuasa akan cuba membuat laluan alternatif secepat mungkin setelah melakukan beberapa penilaian terhadap keadaan tanah runtuh itu.

Bagaimanapun, beliau berkata, lencongan telah dilakukan dan kerja-kerja membaik pulih bakal dijalankan bagi memastikan jalan berkenaan selamat digunakan.

Menurut Nanta, pasukan bomba dari Balai Bomba dan Penyelamat (BBP) Belaga turut bertindak melakukan pemantauan di kawasan runtuhan.

"Saya menasihatkan penduduk di kawasan sekitar supaya berhati-hati ketika menggunakan jalan berkenaan buat masa ini yang hanya boleh dilalui satu kenderaan sahaja dalam satu masa. Patuhi semua arahan pihak berkuasa demi keselamatan bersama,” katanya.

Beliau berharap kerja-kerja membaiki jalan yang rosak itu dapat dilakukan segera bagi memudahkan urusan penduduk membuat sebarang urusan di bandar Bintulu. - Bernama

KUCHING (Jan 26): Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen has reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the state Civil Defence Force (APM) through financial assistance and equipment upgrades.

The Sarawak DAP chairman, who was accompanied by Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii, symbolically handed over a 60 horsepower outboard engine to APM Kuching District officer Major (PA) Wan Khairul Zakwan Wan Tajudden.

According to Chong, who is also Padungan assemblyman, the outboard motor was funded under his service centre’s allocation, meant to enhance APM’s rescue capabilities.

In this regard, he highlighted the critical role of adequate and reliable equipment in enabling Kuching APM to carry out their operations efficiently.

“Beyond the dedication and commitment of the team, the tools they use such as boats, outboard engines and other equipment, are equally important in ensuring effective rescue operations.

“As the Chinese proverb says, to carry out one’s job effectively, the tools must be of good quality,” he said in a statement.

He added that this initiative aims to support Kuching APM, whose team is on 24-hour standby, particularly during the current Northeast Monsoon season which is expected to last until March.

“They are constantly monitoring the situation and are prepared for any rescue operations that may arise, especially during the Lunar New Year festivities, when king tides are expected,” Chong explained.

Following an appreciation lunch with the APM team, held in connection with the Lunar New Year, Chong took a boat ride along the Sarawak River to visit flood-prone villages, which included Kampung Tupong, Kampung Sungai Maong, Kampung Kudei, Kampung Paroh Sejijak, Kampung Segedup, Sinar Budi Lama and Kampung Rantau Panjang.

“This visit provided valuable insight into their operations and the challenges faced by flood-affected communities,” he said.

To this end, Chong praised the Kuching APM team for their dedication, and expressed his gratitude for their sacrifices.

KUCHING (Jan 26): The flood detention ponds being built in the Batu Kawah area here are hailed as critical facilities not only in terms of flood management, but also their function as valuable spaces for the local communities.

This dual functionality was highlighted by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian when met by reporters after having officiating at the launch of the ‘Harmonious Spring Singing Competition’, hosted by Kuching Bersatu Welfare Association at Boulevard Shopping Mall here today .

“When the rivers are at high tide and the water cannot flow fast enough, these ponds act as a buffer to prevent flooding.

“But for most of the year, these ponds stay dry and can be repurposed for other activities, such as football fields or futsal courts.

“These flood detention ponds are not just for holding water,” said the state Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government.

Elaborating, Dr Sim said he drew inspiration from Japan’s advanced flood management systems, noting how they incorporated flood detention ponds, underground reservoirs and pumps to handle extreme water volumes.

The Batu Kawah assemblyman also said that the size of the ponds could range from five to ten acres, allowing them to store significant volumes of water.

“In Japan, 361 days a year, these areas are dry, but for the few days they are needed, they can hold millions of gallons of water.

“A typical five-acre flood detention pond can hold the equivalent of 40,000 water trucks.

“These ponds can help protect residential areas.”

In this aspect, Dr Sim encouraged the communities to maximise the use of these flood-detention pond areas during the dry days.

“The rest of the year, these areas can be used for sports or recreational purposes. Unless, of course, floods strike; then it’s not a good idea to play water polo,” he quipped.

In November last year, the Sarawak government kicked off the construction of the third flood detention pond at Desa Wira in Batu Kawah, at a cost of RM14.5 million.

Dr Sim himself witnessed the handing-over of the project’s letter of award by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) Sarawak to the contractor.

Covering approximately five acres, the Desa Wira pond is designed to hold over 30,000 cubic metres of water – equivalent to 12,000 water tankers, or the size of 60 detached housing units.

The works commenced on Nov 25 last year, and should reach completion by this July 24.

“This project is a critical step toward addressing the long-standing flood issues in Batu Kawah,” said Dr Sim at the time.

The other flood detention ponds areas are in Batu Kawah New Township and Pines Square.