| Azaraimy HH |
IN LIGHT of the recent adverse weather conditions and occurrence of flashfloods affecting some areas in the country, the public has been urged to be extra cautious in accepting unverified viral messages on social media platforms, which can cause unnecessary alarm.
They have also been encouraged to grab a free copy of the ‘Emergency and Public Safety Guide’ book at the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) office at Old Airport, Berakas or download the ‘Safety Guide’ mobile app from the App Store or Google Play Store. Another weather-related mobile app, ‘Brunei WX,’ issued by the Brunei Darussalam Meteorological Department (BDMD), can also be downloaded through the App Store and Google Play Store.
These statements were made by Colonel (Rtd) Pengiran Haji Maiddin bin Pengiran Haji Said, Director of the NDMC during a press conference at the Tutong District Office yesterday.
He said the recent tropical storm Kai-Tak and Typhoon Tembin have effectuated adverse weather and tidal side effects, causing Brunei to experience fierce and heavy downpour resulting in flashfloods in Tutong.
The bad weather has also caused landslides and uprooting trees in some areas since December 20.
The situation has normalised, with incidences of flashfloods confined only to a number of areas in the Tutong District and one location in Belait, while in the Brunei-Muara and Temburong districts, there were no further reports of flashfloods.
Colonel (Rtd) Pengiran Haji Maiddin added that as a response to distress calls on landslides, the Fire and Rescue Department has taken precautionary action by installing canvas cover over exposed ground to mitigate the risk of soil erosion, as well as cut and removed fallen trees.
The Public Works Department provided technical expertise and evaluation of flashflood danger levels at affected locations.
“The centre will continually monitor the weather situation and put government assets and related resources on standby mode to respond as required,” assured the director, pointing out that following flashfloods in the interior areas of Tutong, six boats and four polyboats have been handed over to the Tutong District Office to be distributed to residents for their use.
Colonel (Rtd) Pengiran Haji Maiddin also reminded the public, especially those in flood-prone areas, to make their own early preparations so that they can better face such bad weather side effects in the future.
He noted that disaster mitigation is a community effort, and residents are advised to take their own initiative to prevent flashfloods by keeping their environment clean, such as ensuring the drainage is not clogged and that rubbish is properly disposed of. “For those living in flashflood-prone areas, it is helpful to have a ‘drive bag’ where important documents and items can be store in and protected in case of severe flashfloods,” he added.
Meanwhile, Tutong District Officer Shamsul Bahrin bin Haji Mohammad Hussain, explained that flashflood mitigation projects undertaken in flood-prone areas have helped lessen the impact of flashfloods in the mentioned locations.
“With the establishment of multilateral agency efforts and agencies such as the NDMC, the impact to the lives of affected residents has been able to be lessened. Examples of relief efforts include providing transport for the residents during flashfloods so that they can continue to go to work or school, or get to other places,” said the district officer.
“Therefore, logistics is one of the areas that the government can help. The Royal Brunei Police Force is also ready to provide extra security, especially for cars parked on higher ground (and temporarily abandoned) by the roadside during floods. In the case of temporary relocation for people affected by floods, the government through the security agencies can also provide extra security to houses temporarily left behind.”
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