New flood reported in Belait, 7 families affected

The flooded stretch along Jln Laid Lakang. The man in black is Belait District Officer Matusin Orang Kaya Sura Hj Tuba. Picture: BT/Chua Guan Cheong

Chua Guan Cheong
BELAIT

Sunday, December 12, 2010

JALAN Kecil Singap in Merangking became the latest road to be hit by floodwaters in the Belait District when residents from the area reported worsening flood conditions to the Incident Command Post (ICP) yesterday morning.

On a day when flood level in Bukit Puan was stabilising at 0.65m, water in Sukang all but subsided, and Badas flood level also lowered from 1.8m to 1.7m, the news came as a surprise for the personnel in the ICP.

With rain continuing to pound the district at various hours, residents from the Singap area found themselves restricted from getting out of the roads as water level on Jalan Kecil Singap rose to 0.55m.

Another road leading to the area, Jalan Laid Lakang, was also badly flooded, and appeared to be totally impassable by vehicles. Some residents near the area estimated the water level to be at one metre, but the information remain unconfirmed at press time.

There are reportedly seven families with a total of 20 members affected by the new flood point, which is located approximately one kilometre from Merangking.

Belait District Officer Matusin Orang Kaya Sura Hj Tuba, accompanied by Community Development Department (Japem) personnel, braved the rain to check on the well-being of the residents after learning of the new development in his district. Japem also provided lunch boxes to residents in the area.

After the visit, Matusin told reporters that his office will make plans to upgrade Jalan Kecil Singap to raise the road level.

"This (upgrading the road) will be one of the top agendas for our office next year, and we'll be allocating a budget for it," said the district officer.

Asked for specific timing on when the project will take off, Matusin said, "As soon as next year's budget is approved."

Following a meeting with regards to the situation in Jalan Kecil Singap, the ICP has confirmed that Japem will first provide one week's worth of rations to the families in the area, while continuing to observe the situation.

courtesy of--The Brunei Times