KUCHING: The Sarawak Disaster Management Committee has been mobilised throughout the state to monitor the situation during the current north-east monsoon season, says Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah.

       The Deputy Premier said the committee's secretariat was operating around the clock since early this month in readiness for any monsoon-related eventualities.

       "This not only includes floods but also landslides and roads collapsing. Last week, I happened to be around when one of the roads in my (constituency) collapsed. It was lucky nobody was hurt.

       "So we are monitoring the situation," Uggah - who is the Bukit Saban assemblyman - told reporters after launching an English-Iban dictionary here Thursday (Jan 25).

       He also said the relevant agencies were ready with their personnel and equipment to face any eventualities, including setting up evacuation centres.

       "The other day, I visited two temporary evacuation centres in Debak and they were well prepared for the situation.

       "One of the most important things is to make sure that people heed instructions to evacuate when necessary, for their own safety," he said, adding that the evacuation centres were equipped with food, medical facilities and social welfare personnel.

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       Uggah also said the committee had identified rivers at risk of flooding in the state.

       However, he said past experience showed that different areas were flooded from one year to another.

       "Sometimes it was flooded in Miri, other times in Selangau or Kuching. This year Kuching looks all right so far.

       "So the committee throughout Sarawak must be ready for any eventualities," he said.