| Azaraimy HH |
THOUGH the weather has improved, many areas in the Tutong District are still not fully recovered from the impact left by flash floods and landslides caused by tropical storm Kai-Tak last week.
The government is making concerted efforts to lessen the burden of those affected in the district.
To assess the situation and oversee the measures, Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong, Acting Minister of Home Affairs and Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Mustappa bin Haji Sirat, Acting Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports yesterday visited several flood-affected areas including Kampong Penapar, Jalan Belunu in Kampong Layong, Kolam Tekungan Kuala Abang Layong (Water Reservoir) and the Incident Centre at Lamunin Fire Station, and some of the affected people.
Accompanying the ministers were Legislative Council members YB Haji Abdul Wahab bin Apong, Penghulu of Mukim Tanjong Maya, and YB Haji Ramli bin Haji Lahit, Penghulu of Mukim Telisai.
Also present during the visit were Abdul Mutalib bin Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Haji Mohammad Yusof, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs; Haji Amer Hamzah bin Pehin Orang Kaya Amar Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Zakaria, Acting Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports; Haji Ali bin Matyassin and Salminan bin Haji Burut, Acting Deputy Permanent Secretaries at the Ministry of Home Affairs; Colonel (Rtd) Pengiran Haji Maiddin bin Pengiran Haji Said, Director of the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) and Acting Director of Fire and Rescue; as well as senior officials from government agencies.
Various government agencies involved in flood relief efforts are continuing to pull all available resources together to be attentive to the needs of the affected, especially in terms of transportation and temporary relocation.
Since late last month, the country has been hit by harsh weather conditions. Heavy rains coupled with strong winds and flash floods affected several areas in Tutong District, uprooting trees and damaging several houses.
Following the heavy downpours since December 20, the water level in some interior areas in the district, especially in Kampong Benutan, had increased. The flash floods also badly hit Kampong Rambai, Kampong Kuala Ungar, Kampong Panchong, Kampong Layong and Kampong Penapar, affecting houses and inundating some roadways.
The Tutong District Office and other relevant agencies have been working together to carry out measures to ensure the welfare of affected villagers and safeguard their properties.
The Royal Brunei Police Force has been active round-the-clock in flood-hit areas to ensure that motor vehicles are parked safely along the roadside areas and are secured. Moreover, new road signs and police cones have been placed at affected areas.
Several government assets are currently on standby including passenger boats and trucks for transportation. Community halls and apartments have also been arranged including Kampong Layong Community Hall, Tanjong Maya Community Hall, Pekan Tutong Community Hall, Kampong Tanjong Maya Mosque’s Hall and Tutong District Residential Flat.
Two army trucks from the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces have been allocated for two affected locations in Jalan Belunu in Kampong Layong and Simpang Empat (four-way intersection) to Kampong Panchong, Kuala Ungar, and Rambai to assist in the transportation of affected residents.
Meanwhile, Tutong District Officer Shamsul Bahrin bin Haji Mohammad Hussain said at a press conference that the flood water has begun to recede and affected roadways in Jalan Kampong Panchong and Panchong-Kuala Ungar can now be used by residents.
He said the flash flood situation is under control, adding that this time it was not as severe as the flash floods that hit the district in 2014 when flood water in some areas reached shoulder high.
He urged the public to always be cautious during uncertain weather and keep away from all activities at the beaches due to the unpredictable nature of tidal waves.
He also appealed the public to not allow children to play in flooded areas and safeguard their health and wellbeing, especially during situations like the current one.
The Tutong District Officer said his office and other government agencies as well as mukim penghulus and village heads will continue to monitor the situation in flood-hit areas.
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