Early Morning Flooding Impacts Kampung Long Kerong and Kampung Long Sait
MIRI: In the early hours of Friday morning, floods swept through two villages in Ulu Baram, displacing a total of 581 residents. The heavy rains caused significant disruption and damage to properties and crops in both Kampung Long Kerong and Kampung Long Sait.
Kampung Long Kerong: 345 Residents Affected
Kampung Long Kerong experienced substantial flooding, affecting 345 residents living in 50 houses. The village head, Douglas Tirong, reported that the flooding began around 2 AM but had receded by approximately 4 AM, allowing residents to start the cleanup process.
Kampung Long Sait: 236 Residents Affected
In nearby Kampung Long Sait, 236 residents across 62 houses were similarly impacted by the early morning flood. Resident Wesly Krew confirmed that the water levels had receded by 4:30 AM, restoring the situation to normal.
No Injuries or Fatalities
Head of Marudi Fire and Rescue Station, Maureen Sim, stated that there were no reported injuries or casualties. The primary focus for affected villagers was the cleanup effort, removing mud and debris from their homes and surrounding areas.
Receding Water Levels and Road Conditions
Sim noted that the water levels in both the river and nearby roads had receded significantly. However, the journey to reach these remote villages remains challenging. Travelers from Marudi must drive eight to nine hours to Pekan Selungo Bridge, depending on weather and road conditions, followed by a boat ride or a strenuous walk, depending on the river’s water level.
Challenges in Reaching Long Sait and Long Kerong
To reach Long Sait, travelers must park their vehicles in Selungo Town and take a small boat that accommodates only two people. If river levels are high, the boat can reach Long Sait directly. Otherwise, travelers might need to pull the boat through rocks or abandon it and walk for two hours if the water is too shallow. Reaching Long Kerong requires an additional hour of walking from Long Sait.
Community Resilience
Despite the challenging conditions and the impact of the floods, the Penan residents of Long Sait and Long Kerong have shown resilience, quickly moving to clean up and restore normalcy in their villages.