Flash Floods Cause Misery All Around
By Za'im Zaini & Hj Minor Absah

Bandar Seri Begawan - It was a sleepless night for several residents in Kg Lambak after their houses were affected in the rising floodwaters from the heavy downpour on Wednesday night.

Many vehicles were left stranded in the floods, while mudslides caused misery to residents bringing in dirty water into their houses.

Many of their furniture and electrical appliances were badly damaged by the gushing muddy water. The drainage systems were unable to cope with the flowing mud thus causing major clogs.

One of the residents who called the Borneo Bulletin hotline said that this was the first time a flash flood had affected his area. He added that he was lucky to have been awakened by his neighbour as the water kept rising.

"Luckily I managed to move my car and furniture to higher ground before the flood had reached my front door".

It was close neighbours who alerted each other and assisted in moving their furniture and vehicles to safer grounds.

The force of nature however brought families together to help each other as several residents in the Lambak Kiri became victims of a mudslide.

One of the homes belonged to 51 year-old Pg Saifudin whose family was about to organise the 'akad nikah' ceremony that will see his daughter 23-year-old Dk Sahrizan Bte Pg Saifudin wed Awang Ade Azhari Bin Zainal Abidin today.

Talking to the Bulletin, the couple Ade Azhari who works in the capital while Dk. Sahrizan who works at the Ministry of Defence said that despite the incident, they will go ahead with the ceremony.

The Bulletin reporters noticed that many relatives of the victims came to the area to give a helping hand so that the ceremony will go on. They also revealed that before their home was hit by a mudslide they managed to put their wedding items away safely, however their vehicles were damaged by the mudslide, together with five other cars that wete left stuck in a feet of mud.

Meanwhile their neighbour, Hj Mash Bin Hj Dagang whose home was also affected by the mudslide said that he only realised about the incident at 12am.

Hj Masli who has been living there for 10 years said that he never expected this to happen. He has been cleaning his house since midnight 12am until yesterday morning with the help of the villagers and nearby residents who contacted the Fire and Rescue Department. The residents conveyed their thanks and appreciation to the Fire and Rescue Department and the Public Works Department namely the Department of Water Services for their assistance.

Eight fire and rescue personnel led by ASO Hj Tarip Bin Ghani from the Lambak Kanan Fire Station Operation "C" with the assistance of the tanker services of the Water Services Department were seen in the area yesterday helping to clean the area. The Station Commander of the Lambak Kanan Fire Station Hj Kahar bin Hj Tapong revealed that they received the call about the mudslides at around 12.32 am and so far have received 22 calls regarding mudslide, fallen trees and flooding in the Lambak Kiri area.

He also mentioned that that since 2am on Thursday, 16 personnel worked in pairs to clean out the mud. This was done with the assistance of the Berakas Fire Station and the Public Works Department.

The Meteorological Department, yesterday said that Brunei is currently experiencing the Northeast Monsoon season. The country received ample amount of rainfall and according to climatological data, it recorded the month of January to have-the highest rainfall.

The weather forecaster added that weather wise; normally the country will receive occasional heavy showers, which can result in flash flooding. There's not much weather change in the next 24 hours with the occasional thundershowers that can be heavy at times especially during nighttimes.

In Sarawak, Bernama have reported that Sarawak is making preparation for floods as heavy rainfall is being forecast by its Meteorological Department from Friday to Monday in Kuching, Samarahan, SriAman, Betong, Sarikei, Sibu and Mukah divisions. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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