Once again we were in the Landas Season and Sarawak Rivers Board is preparing for the eventuality of heavy rain which may cause flooding in Kuching City and its surrounding areas. In anticipation of these, Sarawak Rivers Board has drawn up operations of the barrage in order to mitigate flood and it cannot prevent flooding from taking place.
In mitigating flooding, the Barrage and Ship lock gates will be kept close preventing any sea water flowing inward upriver causing water level to rise, Effective 05th December 2009, if there is no earlier deterioration of weather condition, the water level upstream of the Barrage will be maintained at +7.5 meters only and will be further reduce to +7.0 meters, when the rainfall get heavier. This exercise is to create sufficient reservoir in lower Sungai Sarawak to hold incoming water from the catchments before flushing out during down (ebb) tide.
Due to the lowering of the water level, riverbank will be exposed, wharves and jetties over hang and boat on riverbank might be in danger of capsize.
All users of tambang are advised to be extra careful, owner/operator of boats to put extra ropes and be manned at all time, related industries to take all necessary precaution and people living along riverbank to be alert of any changes in the river bank structure to avoid any undue accident.
All riverine users especially ships operators, owners, masters, agents, and shipping communities are hereby informed that the operations of shiplock will cease by giving a seven (7) days notice if the weather warranted such action to be taken. All owners and juragans of vessels and dockyard operators are hereby reminded to be prepared for the closure of the ship lock. All masters and operator of vessels are strongly warned to reduce speed and navigate at all time with extra caution to avoid untoward incidents and not to take the risks of sailing if the weather worsen and visibility is reduced. All users of wharves and jetties are advised to be extra careful due to wet and slippery surfaces.
Timber industries operating upstream of the barrage are hereby advised to keep their stock in case the ship lock is closed. Vessels will not be allowed to pass through the Barrage temporarily at this time.
Eighteen (18) units of telemetry stations are equipped with “Early Flood Warning System” has been tested on the 19th November 2009 and found out to be functioning well. The public are reminded that the system is only to give warning if Sungai Sarawak is flooded and not “flash flood” inundated area during heavy down pour.
The early Flood Warning System work in such a way that when water level at that specific area reaches the preset level it will trigger an alarm to the barrage control room. When this happen, the set protocol take effect. The Controller, Sarawak Rivers Board will be informed. He will then inform the Resident of Kuching of the warning area and both will consult YB Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Dr. George Chan weither to activate the alarm or not. If the alarm is activated, the residents of that area required to move / evacuate to higher ground (designated area) in an orderly manner. Do not panic. Save life first, belonging later.
Passenger boats are reminded again to be equipped with sufficient safety equipment at all time and properly placed for immediate usage in case of emergency. Instruction has been issued to officers of Sarawak Rivers Board in all stations to carry out safety equipment checks on passenger vessels and we seek the full cooperation of all parties involved.
Yang Berhormat Dr. Stephen Rundi ak Utom
Chairman
Sarawak Rivers Board
