BAGAN DATUK: The National Disaster Management Committee has ordered the mobilisation of assets to assist with evacuations and aid, including the construction of temporary bridges, in all flood-affected areas throughout Sarawak, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.
The Deputy Prime Minister, who is also the committee's chairman, said checks showed that 13 main meteorological stations in Sarawak recorded over 20mm of daily rainfall, surpassing the average monthly rainfall.
As such, Zahid said coordination is being carried out with the Armed Forces and the Public Works Department to build the bridges within 72 hours in the affected areas.
He added the federal and Sarawak governments are working closely and coordinating efforts to manage the flood situation in the state.
"In terms of asset preparedness, we are ready, including the necessary assets for immediate repairs, such as rebuilding collapsed bridges and implementing other urgent measures, including the construction of Bailey bridges.
"The Armed Forces' Engineering Corps and the Public Works Department will work to construct Bailey bridges within 72 hours after a detailed study on the terrain's suitability is conducted," he said.
Zahid, who is also the Bagan Datuk member of Parliament, said this to reporters after attending a meet-and-greet session and a briefing on the construction project of the SM Imtiyaz Tuminah Hamidi building here today.
He added that 8,785 people in Sabah and Sarawak have been evacuated from their homes due to the worsening flood situation in both states.
Of the total, 5,235 are in Sarawak, where they are seeking shelter at 50 temporary centres across the state.
Zahid also said that the country is not facing a shortage of temporary evacuation centres (PPS) to house disaster victims, as there are a total of 22,000 locations nationwide that can be used as PPS.
He said the standard operating procedures (SOP) for flood disaster management currently in use in Sabah and Sarawak are the same as those implemented when several states in Peninsular Malaysia were hit by floods late last year.
"I often remind that the northeast monsoon starts in the peninsula before shifting to Sabah and Sarawak, and is expected to last until the end of March.
"As such, we urge residents in areas expected to receive higher-than-usual rainfall surges to remain prepared," he said.
Zahid said his concern is when high tides coincide with heavy rainfall, making it necessary to carry out early evacuations.
"In fact, MetMalaysia (the Malaysian Meteorological Department) has already issued warnings and outlined the SOPs, which include evacuating at least three days before an anticipated surge in rainfall.
"But the problem arises when some refuse to evacuate and only do so when the water level has already reached their rooftops," he said.