Satok all set to face seasonal floods

KUCHING: Flood prone areas in the Satok constituency are gearing up to face such possibility in the coming weeks.

Satok assemblyman Datuk Ibrahim Baki said preparations included acquiring more engine-powered boats and other basic necessities in the event of a flood operation.

“Within this time especially from December to February, there are five critical areas namely, Sungai Maong, Segedup, Kudei Ulu, Kudei Dayak, and Kudei Lama that are often hit by floods.

“Therefore, in preparation, we have provided an additional new bigger sized boat to each of these areas.

“This will be an addition to the existing five boats and at the same time we have already booked about 12 boats for for hire,” he said.

Ibrahim said this after officiating at the launch of the Satok Flood Disaster Relief Committee’s logistical supplies at Kampung Kudei Lama’s multipurpose hall, Jalan Rubber Barat on Saturday (Jan 8).

Satok State Assemblyman Datuk Ibrahim Baki (third left) checking the equipments in the boat handed over to the community representatives in the Satok Constituency in preparation to face the flood during the rainy season, while KK Masni Morri of Kampung Sg Maong (left) Political Secretary to the Chief Minister Abdul Samat Ghani (second left) and others look on. Photo: Ramidi Subari

He revealed that the new boats cost more than RM10,000 each and could accommodate up to seven people each time and come equipped with other assets such as safety jackets, loudspeakers and torchlights as well as medical kits.

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“We will work closely with the authorities such as the Fire and Rescue Department, marine, police, volunteers and others in a flood operation.

“We are also worried after looking at what had happened in West Malaysia recently but in terms of our preparations here, we are very ready in case there is a big wave of flooding,” he said.

As to how many people would normally be affected when floods occur in his constituency, Ibrahim put the figure at between 1,500 and 2,5000 people.

“We have experienced this over the years… the worst time this area got hit by floods was in 2004.

“So, normally, when the flood waters start to rise, we would have already identified which house would be affected and we have in place our standard operating procedures (SOPs) to carry out the operation,” he said.

He added that there were also several locations nearby which have been gazetted as temporary evacuation centers with food and other necessities already prepared for flood victims.