Repair work in flood-hit areas in Sarawak are to begin in 194 landslide areas and 95 flooded roads, says Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof. Mud has been cleared from the landslide areas but repair works on the slope and roads were still needed. Most of the landslides and roads happened on state roads while four landslides and 14 flooded roads were federal roads. "In view of the extreme weather, it is important to start planning and monitoring with the support of all relevant agencies and professionals to look into the cause of flash floods and find a sustainable long-term solution," he told reporters today. The recent floods over the Chinese New Year were the worst to hit Sarawak recently and the extent of total damages have yet to be determined. Worst affected were Bidayuh villages along Jalan Puncak Borneo near Kuching, where many roads linking to the town were cut off due to landslides or floodwaters. The flood had also claimed the life of a 20-year-old Judus Jalina, from Kampung Maaong, who fell into a river while trying to reach his home. His body was found two days later on February 23. Last Saturday, after hours of heavy downpour, many areas around Kuching city centre were inundated and roads became congested as they were impassable to traffic. Several key places were flooded including the Sarawak General Hospital, Sarawak Contingent Police Headquarters at Jalan Badaruddin, Padungan fire and rescue station, Faculty of Medicine at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Universiti Teknologi Mara Samarahan campus and areas around Padang Merdeka. Sarawak Housing and Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg had said the state government would call a special meeting with relevant agencies to study the factors and to find an effective long term solution for flash floods. – February 29, 2016.]]>
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