Brunei's Local News - Brudirect.com

Bandar Seri Begawan - The Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Hi Adanan, and the Minister of Development, Pehin Orang Kaya Hamzah Pahlawan Dato Setia Awang Haji Abdullah, visited some of the areas affected by flash floods and landslides yesterday.

A total of 74 emergency calls were received by the National Disaster Management Centre in the past two Jays following the continuous heavy downpour since last Friday, which caused flash floods and landslides.

According to statistics provided by Fire and Rescue Department on October 26, majority of the emergency calls (35) came from victims who were affected by landslides.

Twenty emergency calls were to report fallen trees, nine to report flooding and two on bridge collapse. The rest were on car accidents and fire.

During a visit to the Sri Berangan apartment that

was hit by a landslide, the Minister of Home Affairs said that the relevant authorities have taken steps to provide assistance to the victims of flash floods and landslides.

According to him, the victims of the landslide and floods will be moved to temporary accommodation provided by the Department of Community Development. He urged victims to remain calm, as our neighboring country has also borne the brunt of the nature's fury.

Police, who are on a 24-hour watch at the site, have cordoned off the flat and residents have already vacated from the flat, which is deemed unsafe.

One of the residents, Hj Roslan, said, "During the time of the landslide on Sunday, I heard a dragging noise and when I went outside to check I saw a big chunk of earth had come down from the hill. My car was damaged.

"We have moved out of the apartment and will try to apply for a temporary housing with the Department of Community Development," he added.

Datin Hajah Adina binti Othman, Director of Community Development, in a telephone interview, said the Community Development Department, which looks after the welfare of the people, would provide temporary accommodation for victims of landslides and floods. But as of now no victims have came forward to seek temporary accommodation because they have opted to stay with their relatives, she added.

The landslide at Kg Berangan has also damaged part of the canteen of Chung Hwa Middle School next to the flat.

Principal of Chung Hwa Middle School Madam Kho has assured parents of the students that the school has taken efforts to stop students from going near the landslide side.

"We have cordoned off the area and security guards are on watch to ensure students don't go near the area. The canteen has been temporarily moved to the ground floor of the school's new building," she added.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Development visited another area hit by a landslide at Kampong Tasek Meradun, Tin Tutong nearby Pengiran Anak Puteri Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bulqiah Ugama School and one of the roads of the cross junction heading to Bandar Seri-Begawan at Kampong Tasek Meradun which was closed due to safety reasons.

The Road Department under the Public Works Department has informed road users that work to remove the debris due to the landslide will start as soon as movements of the soil at the site subside. The affected road heading to Bandar Seri Begawan will be closed temporarily until works have been completed.

The minister also visited some of the affected houses in Jalan Dadap and the road linking to Jalan Dadap that sustained damages.

He later visited the housing area of Jalan Sungai Tampoi and Ban 3 of Kampong Kilanas that were hit by flash floods.

The aim of the visit was to inspect and to take appropriate actions in the flooded areas.

Accompanying the minister were Dato Paduka Dr Awang Hj Mat Suny, Deputy Minister of Development; evelopment; 1-13 Mohd Rozan, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Development; Awang Hj Mohd Zin, Deputy Permanent Secretary; Awang Suhaimi, Acting Head of Public Works and other officials from the ministry.

The minister also made a number of visits to other landslide-hit areas in Kg Serdang, JIn Kota Batu and spoke with the residents.

The minister advised the residents to vacate the houses temporarily until the situation becomes stable. The minister also ordered repairing works to be speeded up. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin