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Rains Trigger Flash Floods & Landslides
By P Marilyn, Liza Mohd & Ak Fairol RMF

Bandar Seri Begawan – Three days of heavy downpour in the country has brought misery to many people in three districts through flash floods and landslides.

Landslides were also reported in Kg Bengkurong and Kg Kilanas. The Kg Bengkurong landslide has led to officials closing a section of the road.

Some of the affected areas in the capital include Kg Mentiri, Kampong Pasai, Jalan Ban 3, 4 and 5, Kampong Masin, Kampong Selayun, Kampong Batu Ampar, Kampong Wasan and Kampong Tanjung Bunut.

Flash floods have also been reported in areas like Kampong Sinaut, Kampong Layong, Kampong Bukit Udal, Mukim Rambai, Kijampong Batang Mitus and other areas in the Tutong Distrlct causing problems for drivers on the road. Some of the roads are even temporarily closed.

Many areas where drainage facilities were overwhelmed by the continuous downpour are facing serious flooding with water levels in some places reaching as high as five feet. The Brunei Meteorological Service Unit said the wet weather is due to the country's current transition into the Northeast Monsoon, which is the wettest period of the year for the country.

The heavy rainfall received as of 8am yesterday morning stood at 144.4mm, which is quite typical for this month during the monsoon period.

Statistics show that the average amount of rainfall during October over the last 15 years is over 300mm, with the highest recorded being 432mm.

The main cause of the gloomy weather stems from the presence of a small vortex or an area of active weather development located over the sea areas close to our country, said the Brunei Meteorological Service Unit.

The weather development has been further enhanced by the active Northern Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (NITCZ) passing through the country as seen on the satellite picture, showing extensive cloud cover across the region.

The forecast for the next 24 hours shows unsettled weather with rain still expected, though the intensity is expected to vary.

The Meteorological Unit also said that the area of coverage might not be as extensive as yesterday, covering the whole sea and most parts of the land areas.

Meanwhile, low-lying areas in New Village Seria have turned into a water village as the villagers' houses have been inundated and many roads and areas have been hit by flood waters.

Homes and businesses have been affected as New Village residents claimed that the rising waters from Badas River, which divides the New and Badas village, have further aggravated the situation.

According to a resident, water from the Badas River overflowed its banks since 6am yesterday morning and the swollen river continued to flood most parts of the village in the afternoon as rains continued to lash several parts of the Belait District yesterday.

Motorists also found it tough to negotiate their vehicles through flooded stretches of roads in the village.

Another resident said flood waters have not entered his home but the water stands at the same level as his house layout and another heavy rain might see water entering his house.

Another resident, whose house has been damaged by the flood water, said this was the worst flooding she has seen in the history of the new village Seria and added that the Badas village used to face far worse flooding in the past. However, after the Badas village drainage system has been improved, the residents there are spared from the flood waters.

She added that problems could be caused by the overflowing river and drains which could not cope with the volume of water.  -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

Related News: Incessant Rain Causes Landslides, Flooding

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