A car struck by a fallen tree in the town centre.

 

 
SIBU: Downpour coupled with strong winds pounded Sungai Bidut area this evening, experiencing 73mm of rain within 75-minute period – a magnitude last occurred here about two years ago.

According to a source from Department of Drainage and Irrigation (DID) Sibu, anything over 60mm is considered as high.

The source, however, said the town area experienced moderate rainfall. The downpour fanned by strong winds started about 5.30pm and lasted for about an hour.

“The hourly rainfall for Sungai Bidut area this evening was about 60mm. “A total of 73mm of rain was recorded with in 75-minute period. A similar scenario occurred here few days before the last state election (in 2016), where Sibu experienced about 100mm (of rain) within one hour.”

The normal rainfall in the town area is between 20mm and 30mm per hour. Furthermore, according to the source, there was no report of flooding in the low-lying areas here.

Meanwhile, Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) when contacted confirmed receiving four reports of fallen tree branches.

“There are reports of fallen tree branches at areas in Brooke Drive area, Bandong Road, Awang Ramli Amit Road (near SK Abang Ali) and Tiong Hua Road.

“SMC Serve Squad has been deployed to rectify the situation on the ground. However, in stances, where the tree branches are too big, we may require Fire and Rescue Department’s (Bomba) assistance.

“Similarly, if these branches struck a cable, we will require Sesco’s assistance to remove them as we do not have the necessary equipment,” source from the council said.