Over 3,000 people evacuated as severe flooding hits southern Sarawak districts, submerging 900 homes.
KUCHING: More than 3,000 residents have been forced from their homes across southern Sarawak as flooding intensifies, with nearly 900 houses submerged in the affected areas.
The districts of Samarahan, Kuching, and Serian are experiencing the most severe inundation, with water levels reaching up to five feet inside residential properties in several villages.
According to the latest information from the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) and the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department, the flooding has expanded significantly compared to the previous day.
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SDMC reported that 42 emergency shelters have been opened across the state as of 11am today.
“A total of 3,031 individuals have been relocated to evacuation centres. These evacuees represent 876 households affected by the flooding,” SDMC stated, adding that the figure is anticipated to climb as rescue operations continue.
Fire and rescue personnel on the ground are working continuously to evacuate residents as water levels keep rising throughout the affected regions.
In numerous villages, emergency responders have been assisting people stranded on upper floors of two-storey homes, where ground levels are completely submerged. Residents of single-storey dwellings have already been moved to safety.
The department noted that many roadways have become impassable for conventional vehicles, requiring rescue teams to deploy boats to reach flooded communities.
