SIBU (March 21): A total of 67 residents from 27 households have been relocated to the temporary evacuation centre (PPS) at the Kanowit Sports Complex after their homes were affected by flooding last night.

Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) Sibu officer for Disaster, Operations, Training, and Secretariat Capt (PA) Azamsah Apearal said the PPS began operations at 6.30pm yesterday.

The PPS evacuees are from Rumah Guntor, Nanga Ngemah (18); Rumah Ninti, Sungai Ngemah (4); Rumah Danneil, Nanga Peranan, Poi (16); and Rumah Asay, Nanga Kabah (29).

“From the total number of evacuees, there are five elderly men, nine elderly women, eight adult men, 23 adult women, 12 boys, seven girls, and three babies,” Azamsah said.

He said various security and welfare agencies are assisting with PPS operations – 15 personnel from APM Kanowit; four each from the police, Malaysian Volunteer Corps, and Welfare Department; as well as 10 from the Malaysian Armed Forces.

Azamshah also advised affected residents to remain in contact with the authorities for necessary assistance.

SINGAPORE, March 21 — Travellers heading to Johor from Singapore this weekend should brace for long delays at the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints, as traffic congestion persists amid the ongoing March school holidays, Singapore’s Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has warned.

In a Facebook update today, ICA advised Singapore travellers with non-essential travel plans to consider postponing their trips, citing continuous heavy traffic since the holidays began on March 14.

The situation has been exacerbated by the monsoon surge, which has brought heavy rainfall to Singapore and Johor since March 19, triggering flash floods in several areas.

Singapore motorists heading to Johor by car or motorcycle have faced immigration clearance delays of more than two hours. As of 9.22am today, ICA reported congestion at Woodlands Checkpoint due to a tailback from Malaysia.

With rain expected to continue until today, ICA urged Singapore motorists to check traffic conditions before setting off and to avoid queue-cutting, especially amid reduced visibility and recent road accidents.

“Those who wish to continue with their journey should expect delays,” the agency said.

SINGAPORE, March 21 — A relentless monsoon surge has drenched Singapore since Wednesday, bringing widespread disruptions to businesses, outdoor activities, and travel.

According to The Straits Times (ST), the heavy rainfall, expected to persist until today, has led to flash flood warnings and cancellations across various sectors.

According to the national water agency PUB, rainfall levels in some areas have far exceeded Singapore’s average for March.

By 7pm yesterday, Jurong West recorded 318mm of rain, while the highest in the east was 298.4mm — both surpassing the monthly average of 209.7mm. The lowest temperature recorded was 21.9C in Tuas South at around 10am yesterday.

The downpour caused a 15m stretch of Mountbatten Road and Jalan Seaview to flood for about two hours in yesterday afternoon, ST reported, with water also entering a nearby property.

The report added that the rain forced golf clubs, including Singapore Island Country Club (SICC), Keppel, and Sentosa, to suspend play.

The US$2.5 million (RM11 million) Porsche Singapore Classic golf tournament at Laguna National Golf Resort Club was also affected, with its opening round yesterday postponed to today.

Water sports venues suffered a similar fate.

Ola Beach Club at Sentosa’s Siloso Beach reported a drastic drop in visitors, with only 10 per cent of its usual crowd turning up on March 20.

“The businesses around us have also been badly hit. Due to the downpour, we have stopped hiring part-timers for the weekdays,” staff member Gwen Tan was quoted as saying.

Other Sentosa establishments faced cancellations as well — Tanjong Beach Club saw its crowd halved, while Rumours Beach Club lost 70 per cent of its reservations yesterday.

The bad weather also impacted commuters and air travellers.

ST said a fallen tree on the Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE) before the Dairy Farm Road exit caused delays towards Woodlands Checkpoint.

It also said bus operator Tower Transit Singapore reported service 966 was delayed by up to 30 minutes.

At Changi and Seletar airports, several flights were cancelled, retimed, or diverted. A TransNusa flight to Jakarta was cancelled, while departures to Seoul, Phuket, and Jakarta were rescheduled. Malaysian airline Firefly’s operations at Seletar were also affected.

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