KUCHING: Residents of Kampung Sinar Budi Baru, in Taman Desa Wira, Batu Kawa here are at a loss over how to deal with the flood situation in their village.
Less than three months into the year, their homes have been inundated by floods no less than five times.
Suliman Suntak, a 60-year-old pensioner, said since he began living in his house 25 years ago, floods have become an annual occurrence.
However, he said he has no choice but to continue living there.
"I've lost count over how many times we've had to deal with floods since moving here.
"In the past, we can expect floods when the rain lasts for more than three hours. Now, even an hour's worth of rain is enough to trigger floods," he said.
He said his family had borne massive losses in terms of damaged furniture and electrical items.
He had even forked out a large sum to build a 0.3-metre high barrier system to prevent floodwaters from entering his home.
"During the first flood two weeks ago, which was when the barrier system was completed, it saved my house as water didn't come in.
"But today, the deluge was so intense that the barrier was breached, flooding my house," he said.
Suliman had also built a giant 'table' in the centre of his home where he could place furniture and electrical appliances on safer ground.
"It didn't work so well this time as many other electrical equipment such as the refrigerator could not be saved," he said.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department deputy director Tiong Ling Hii said almost all low-lying areas in Kuching, such as Batu Kawa, Matang, Semariang, Tabuan, Kota Sentosa, Petra Jaya as well as in Samarahan, Bau and Serian, were hit by floods from 7am after a two-hour downpour.
"Even the Batu Lintang fire station was not spared. The firemen were instructed to ensure that all assets, especially the telecommunications equipment, were rescued first.
"The Sarawak General Hospital's emergency ward was also hit by floods, forcing patients to be moved to safety.
"Many major roads here are also flooded, complicating traffic flow," he said.
He said the department is pulling out all the stops to manage the floods.