| Azlan Othman & Daniel Lim |
TORRENTIAL rains lashed across Brunei, causing flash floods that inundated several parts of the Sultanate yesterday.
Several low lying areas across the country were submerged in water following continuous heavy downpour which started early yesterday morning which threw normal life out of gear in many parts of the country.
Flash floods and fallen trees caused massive traffic jams on many roads in the morning rush hours.
The Tutong River overflowed, bursting one of its canals which flooded several shops in Pekan Tutong.
Areas affected in Tutong also include Mukim Keriam, Mukim Kiudang, Tanjong Maya and Ukong. Fortunately, water level at Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque in Pekan Tutong receded just before the mid-day prayer yesterday.
The Fire and Rescue Department’s Tutong branch said it received six reports of uprooted trees, four landslides and five flash floods yesterday and urged motorists to use alternative routes.
Several trees were uprooted following landslides in Kampong Sungai Liang road. The Public Works Department said clearing works have been carried out to remove the debris that blocked the road. Similar incidents were also reported from other areas in the country where many roads were still under water at press time.
The Brunei Darussalam Meteorological Department in a statement said occasional heavy showers and thunderstorms affected the country yesterday. Wind speeds of up to 50 km/h are likely during heavy showers, it said, urging the general public and motorists to be alert and take necessary precautions to ensure safety.
Meanwhile, the Fire and Rescue Department said it received 49 emergency calls yesterday.
As heavy rains continued to pour, Belait District also reported landslides and flooding in low-lying areas that blocked sections of many roads and affected several houses.
Powerful showers affected various parts of Kuala Belait, Lorong Tiga Selatan, Seria, Sungai Liang and Lumut where lack of proper drainage facilities worsened the situation.
Seventeen houses in Kampong Sungai Liang, Kampong Tunggulian, Kampong Sungai Bakong, Kampong Sungai Lalit, Kampong Sungai Kuru, Government Barrack Housing area located near Brunei LNG as well as the Barrack Housing Area of Lorong Tiga Selatan, Seria were affected in flash floods. The roof of one of the houses was blown away in heavy wind that accompanied the torrential downpour.
A major landslide cut off a section of Jalan Tengah on the opposite side of the Sungai Liang Police Station, making the road inaccessible to vehicles as debris cased by the landslide blocked it. A large loader was seen clearing the debris when the Bulletin visited the site.
The National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) along with various other agencies such as the Operation Branch ‘B’ of the Fire and Rescue Department, the Third Battalion, the Belait District Branch of the Community Development Department (JAPEM) as well as the Belait and Tutong Public Works Department are currently making efforts to control the situation and provide assistance to those affected in the flash floods.
The District Emergency Operation Centre (DEOC) in the Belait District said it will continue to monitor the situation in affected areas and provide aid to the flood-affected.
The Belait District Office advised the public to be cautious during heavy rain, especially while driving, and urged people living in low-lying areas and mountainous regions to be extra vigilant of the sudden changes in weather situation.
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