Severe floods leave deep scar in Bintulu

SEVERE flooding that struck Bintulu earlier this year has left deep physical damage and lasting psychological scars on the residents, particularly those living in low-lying villages and residential areas.

For us, the Bintulu folks, fear has become a nightly companion whenever heavy rain coincides with high tides.

The disaster was triggered by an extraordinary 900mm of rainfall in a single day, which had never happened before in the history of this coastal town.

For this writer, who lives in Kampung Baru Lorong 3, located next to Sungai Kemena, when the floods struck, they did not just enter our homes, but also entered our minds and stayed there.

The flooding in early 2025 was one of the worst we had experienced in years. It occurred after days of heavy rain, combined with high tides.

Despite being used to heavy rain, this time it was different. Floodwater rose faster than we expected, faster than we could fully prepare for.

By the time we realised how serious it was, many houses were already inundated.

Since then, life has changed.

Now, whenever the rain becomes heavy and the tide is high, our entire village immediately goes into alert mode.

We no longer wait for official warnings.

Experience has taught us what to do. The first thing we prepare to move are our vehicles. Cars and motorcycles are quickly brought to higher ground.

Those of us living in low-lying housing start lifting furniture, electrical appliances and important belongings to higher places, tables, shelves, or makeshift platforms.

It has become a routine born out of fear.

At night, sleep is almost impossible. I lie awake listening to the sound of the rain hitting the roof, checking my phone, watching the clock, and worrying constantly about the water level suddenly rising again like it did before.

Many of us do the same. Some villagers step outside with flashlights to check the drains and water level.

Others keep their doors open, ready to move at a moment’s notice.

The fear is not dramatic, but it is constant. During the worst of the floods, water entered houses, damaging furniture, electrical wiring and household appliances.

Mud and debris were left behind when the floodwater finally receded.

Cleaning up was exhausting, both physically and emotionally.

It was not just about washing the floors and the walls, but about accepting that everything we had worked hard for could be destroyed in just a few hours.

Across Bintulu, thousands of residents were affected.

Many were evacuated to the temporary relief centres as rivers overflowed and the drainage failed to cope with the high volume of gushing water.

Despite the tireless efforts of emergency responders, many residents had to turn to social media for SOS messages when the official hotlines could no longer be reached amidst the chaos.

For us in the village, things became critical when the power went out and there was no phone signal.

Kudos to the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and volunteers who responded quickly, delivering food aid and essential supplies to the affected residents and later, distributing the financial assistance promptly, without excessive bureaucracy.

For some families, the damage was partial.

In my case, living in a double-storey house meant that only the ground floor was affected which, thankfully, allowed us to remain at home.

Others were less fortunate.

My parents-in-law’s house had the kitchen area flooded, forcing them to move out temporarily.

Ironically, while covering the flood situation in other areas as part of my reporting duties, I missed the first day of cleaning my own house, leaving the task to my parents and siblings.

Authorities later explained that the floods were caused by extraordinary rainfall, combined with King’s tides, which blocked the water from flowing out to sea.

They also acknowledged that the drainage and river channels were incapable of handling such extreme conditions.

Hearing this gave us some answers, but it did not take away our worries.

For homeowners like us, the concern is no longer just about one flood incident.

It is about repetition.

Repairs are expensive. Mould grows quickly after the floods, especially in wooden houses.

Electrical systems become unsafe.

Each flood chips away at our savings – and our sense of security.

In response, the federal government announced a one-off RM1,000 aid for each head of household affected by the floods.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof personally announced the assistance during his visit to the Bintulu Civic Centre, where the temporary relief centre (PPS) had been set up.

However, accessing the assistance was not easy. Affected homeowners had to spend extra hours filling out forms, preparing reports, and submitting photo evidence of the damage – all for verification.

At the same time, they were dealing with damaged properties and clearing off thick mud from their houses.

The approval process took time, becoming a common topic of conversation among residents who questioned how long they would have to wait.

Those registered at the PPS received the aid earlier, while residents who stayed outside the centre, like my family in-law, had to undergo additional rounds of verification, prolonging the wait – an experience many described as ‘deeply distressing’.

Yet they did not receive it – maybe it was not meant for them.

Beyond the immediate relief, questions about long-term solutions have grown louder.

Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing has repeatedly warned that the absence of a comprehensive flood mitigation solution continues to expose residents to recurring flood risks.

In his view, it is deeply concerning that the Bintulu Flood Mitigation Plan remains only partially resolved.

Recently, floods struck Bintulu again following continuous heavy rain, affecting both residential and commercial areas.

According to Tiong, flooding in Bintulu is no longer an isolated incident, but a long-standing problem that has yet to be effectively addressed, resulting in repeated losses for the community.

At the final Bintulu Divisional Development Committee (DDC) meeting of the year, Tiong was briefed by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) on Phase 2 of the Bintulu Flood Mitigation Plan.

Several mitigation upgrade projects have been approved by the Sarawak Planning Authority (SPA), involving areas such as SJK Sebiew, Taman Jason, Gem Park, Taman Desa Damai, and the Traffic Police station.

The proposed measures include a flood detention pond and drainage upgrades at SJK Sebiew; expansion of the main drain at Taman Jason; construction of bunds and pumping systems at Gem Park; and cut-off drains and pump facilities at the Traffic Police station, which sits on a lower elevation.

However, Tiong has cautioned that without proper integration, these projects could increase overall flood pressure elsewhere.

He stresses that the core unresolved issue remains for Sungai Sebiew, where the dredging works have yet to receive approval, largely due to unresolved squatters’ relocation along the riverbanks.

In Kampung Baru Lorong 3, we talk about this often.

We also talk about whether mitigation projects will really happen, whether the river-deepening and drainage upgrades will come soon enough, and whether our village will still be safe to live in years from now.

We listen carefully whenever the government announces new plans, hoping that this time, the change will reach us before the next disaster.

What worries us most is how quickly everything can change.

One moment, life is normal.

Next, we are lifting furniture, moving vehicles, and watching water creep up our doorsteps.

The uncertainty is the hardest part.

We do not expect floods to disappear completely, but we hope for better protection, clearer warnings, and infrastructure that matches the reality of today’s climate.

We hope that our experience in 2025 would not be forgotten once the floodwaters have ebbed away.

For us in Bintulu, the floods are not just a memory of what happened.

It is the fear that returns every time the rain falls heavily, and the tide rises – reminding us how vulnerable we still are.