Sarawak gears up to face “El Nino” phenomenon

By BERNAMA

Sarawak is taking measures to face potential adverse weather conditions until the end of the year resulting from the “El Nino” phenomenon. Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan said today all relevant departments and agencies in the state were making adequate preparations to ensure that drainage and flood-warning systems were in good condition to minimise the possibility of floods.

The weather pattern was changing and it was abnormal for the state to receive much rain in June, which caused flash floods in low-lying areas, said Dr Chan, who is chairman of the Sarawak Disaster Relief and Management Committee.

“Normally, by June we should be experiencing the hot and dry season but these days the weather is unpredictable. We are getting ready as the rain is expected to get heavier by the end of the year, resulting from the El Nino phenomenon,” he told reporters after opening the 22nd annual general meeting of the Sarawak Fishermen’s Association (Penesa) here.

Dr Chan said people in flood-prone areas would be advised to be ready to face the possibility of floods, and that rescue teams from the police, Fire and Rescue Department, and the Department of Civil Defence were already in place.