KUCHING, Jan 30: Sarawak Deputy Premier and Chairman of the Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee (JPBNS), Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, has announced that the flood situation in Bintulu is now under control.

Uggah said the JPBNS Secretariat has been actively distributing aid and essential equipment to the affected victims.

"The situation is under control, and we hope it will not continue to rain. In the meeting, we (JPBNS) will mobilize necessary equipment from the fire and rescue services, the military and the Welfare Department. We will also prepare food to be sent to Bintulu, Tatau and Sibu."

"This evening, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof and I will also go to Bintulu to see the situation there," he said.

He said this to the media during a survey at the SJK Chung Hua Batu Kawa Temporary Transfer Centre (PPS).

According to Uggah, it is understood that the annual rainfall rate in Sarawak is 5,000mm per year, but in Bintulu alone it is currently reaching 400mm.

He added that the flooding was not caused by clogged drains but rather by overflowing water from the river.

In the meantime, he said, all assistance from the public or non-governmental organisations (NGOs) should be channelled to the Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee (JPBNS) secretariat first.

He said this was to facilitate the smooth distribution of aid and to avoid confusion.

"Any NGO that wants to provide assistance must channel it to the JPBNS Secretariat or the Bintulu Resident's Office.

"We do not allow any NGO to send aid directly to the Temporary Transfer Centre (PPS) because it will confuse us in coordinating aid so that it is sent in an orderly manner," he said. -TVS