File photo of Jalan Khoo Peng Loong near the Sibu’s jetty flooded on Aug 22, 2024. – Photo by Peter Boon

SIBU (Sept 10): Several stretches of Jalan Kong Yit Khim here were inundated today following heavy downpours in the upper catchments of Kapit and Sibu, compounded by the King Tide, said the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID).

DID Sibu divisional engineer Rudi Abang Zamhari said heavy rainfall in the Batang Rajang and Baleh rivers caused river levels in Kapit, Kanowit and Sibu districts to surge.

“The heavy rainfall in the upper catchment of Batang Rajang and Baleh in the Kapit Division, as well as in Kanowit and Sibu Districts, coincided with the King Tide,” Rudi told The Borneo Post.

At Stapang B and Sungai Salim B stations, water levels reached 14.61 metres and 3.11 metres respectively, surpassing the danger level as of today.

At the Durin Bazaar station, water levels crossed the warning mark of 4.03 metres at 3pm.

Kanowit and Renan Kemiding recorded 4.84 metres and 6.82 metres, both exceeding alert levels.

In Kapit, the New Headworks station exceeded the alert level at 14.11 metres, while Kapit town and Nanga Sebatu recorded 14.4 metres and 11.27 metres respectively.

Giam Pasang B also surpassed its alert level at 5.11 metres.

In Sibu, parents alerted Citizen Middle School to rising water levels around 10am.

The school immediately contacted the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) to help evacuate students after floodwaters inundated parts of the road leading to the school.