The continuous heavy downpour in recent days have caused flooding in rural areas of the Tutong District. The rising water level affected numerous villages namely Kampong Benutan, Kampong Rambai, Kampong Kuala Ungar, Kampong Penapar and Kampong Ukong as well as parts of Kampong Panchong and Kampong Layong.
The flooding has impacted several houses where flood water has entered and the roadsrendered inaccessible.
According to the National Disaster Management Centre, various government agencies – Fire and Rescue Department (FRD), the Community Development Department (JAPEM), Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF), the Emergency Medical Ambulance Services (EMAS), the Tutong District Office, penghulus and village heads – are prepared to ensure that affected areas are under control and provide assistance to residents impacted by the flood.
The activation of an incident command post, which involves the deployment of various agencies under the Tutong District Disaster Management Committee, started on September 23, based at Lamunin Fire Station.
The aim of the post is to facilitate action to provide assistance of transportation, distribution of food ration, safety patrol and monitoring as well as any emergency services needed by affected residents.
The FRD continuously carries out the task of measuring flood water level in affected areas and placing boats as well as personnel in Kampong Benutan to help transport water and provide general purpose vehicles and boats if required.
The operation is also assisted by the second battalion of the RBAF who provided three heavy trucks to help with transportation of affected residents in several areas where road were affected, such as the junctions of Panchong-Sulap Samat, Panchong-Kuala Ungar and Kuala Ungar-Benutan road.
Meanwhile, joint operations involving the RBPF ensure safety in the affected areas by conducting patrol and installing warning signage in flood areas.
The Tutong branch of JAPEM provided food ration to residents with the help of the Tutong District Disaster Management Committee and members of the Disaster Preparedness Coordinator.
Forty-four rations were handed to affected residents in Kampong Benutan, 64 to Kampong Kuala Ungar, nine to Kampong Layong and 14 to Kampong Rambai. The preparation of the rations was assisted by grassroots leaders and members of the village consultative council of affected villages as well as agencies such as FRD, JAPEM, RBAF, RBPF, EMAS and Tutong District Office based at the Incident Command Post.
In addition, the Tutong District Disaster Management Committee has also set up temporary shelter at the Public Works Department’s barrack in Bukit Barun.
The Tutong District Disaster Management Committee reminded residents to stay vigilant and keep safe their properties such as important documents.
In addition, the agency said there is a risk of threat from wild animals like crocodiles and snakes, thus urging the public to refrain from carrying out activities in water such as swimming or taking a bath in flooded areas. – James Kon
