KUALA LUMPUR — Certain areas in Sabah and Sarawak are facing severe weather conditions as heavy rains continue to batter the region, with multiple areas now reaching danger levels.
The Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) earlier today issued a continuous heavy rain warning effective until January 31, 2025, with certain regions in Sarawak and Sabah at risk of severe flooding.
As of 5pm today, MetMalaysia has also issued a warning for thunderstorms, heavy rain, and strong winds in Sarawak, specifically in Miri (Telang Usan) and Limbang (Limbang) until 9pm tonight. The alert was triggered due to signs of thunderstorms with rainfall intensity exceeding 20 mm per hour, expected to last for more than an hour.
In Sarawak, the Danger (Bahaya) level includes Kuching, Serian, Samarahan, Sarikei (Meradong), Sibu (Sibu and Selangau), Mukah, Bintulu (Tatau and Bintulu), and Miri (Subis). Severe (Buruk) levels have been issued for regions including Sri Aman, Betong, Sarikei (Pakan, Sarikei, and Julau), Sibu (Kanowit), Kapit (Song and Kapit), Bintulu (Sebauh), and Miri (Beluru, Miri, and Marudi).
Meanwhile, in Sabah, Pantai Barat (Ranau and Kota Belud), Sandakan (Telupid, Kinabatangan, Beluran, and Sandakan), and Kudat are under the same severe warning.
The Alert (Waspada) level has been issued for areas such as Pedalaman (Keningau and Tambunan), Pantai Barat (Papar, Putatan, Penampang, Kota Kinabalu, and Tuaran), Tawau (Lahad Datu), and Sandakan (Tongod).
In Bintulu, a devastating flood has raised concerns about the region’s drainage systems. Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas attributed the flood to an intense downpour of approximately 400mm in a short period, causing river overflow. Sarawak typically receives an average of 5,000mm of rainfall annually, but this extreme weather overwhelmed the drainage infrastructure.
“The flood in Bintulu occurred suddenly, coinciding with the Chinese New Year, which posed a significant challenge for the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) in Bintulu,” Uggah said.
In response, evacuations were carried out swiftly, with support from Miri, Sibu, and Bintulu. Over 5,000 people have been displaced across the state, with 1,481 people from 396 families in Bintulu alone seeking shelter in six centres.
However, Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing voiced a contrasting opinion, blaming the lack of progress on the Sungai Sibiew riverbed project and inadequate drainage systems for exacerbating the flooding. He highlighted that the riverbed has been left in limbo for nearly five years, preventing excess water from being effectively discharged.
As of today, the number of flood victims in Sarawak has nearly doubled, with more than 5,300 people displaced across 47 relief centres.
Authorities are urging residents in the affected regions to remain vigilant and follow evacuation procedures where necessary. The Public Works Department has also been tasked with repairing flood-damaged roads, prioritising critical areas – January 30, 2025