THE continuous rainfall starting on January 10 until January 14 this year has caused flash floods in some areas. Actually this reminded us about last year’s experiences where we confronted major floods and series of landslides nationwide, houses and cars were submerged under water, two people died during the tragedy, a man bitten by a crocodile and many others.

All that happened last year during the rainy season. The months of January and early February are known to be a rainy season. But, since January 15, the weather seemed to be fine.

I also had personally experienced the flood last year. I still remembered one night after attending an art exhibition in the capital, I drove my car heading to Tutong District. It was raining heavily at that time. A few kilometres before reaching my house I found out a bridge has been submerged with floodwater. It was high tide at the time which left me with no choice but to turn back and head to Tutong town instead.

I parked my car at the town’s old office garage and tried to sleep. But sirens of police cars and fire trucks kept me awake. They were all busy dealing with floods and landslides that night. The next morning I had to take a bus to go home as the flood water level was still high. I wished that I had a “Rainy Season Vehicle” that can pass through the floods.

Are we ready to face the rainy seasons this year or in future? Did we learn our lessons last year? If the flood ever happened again this year we should be ready. The residents in the rural areas should be relocated to higher grounds, temporary tents should be erected instantly to accommodate them once the flood becomes worst. Are the number of rescue boats enough for the emergencies?

The information about the floods and high tides should be channelled via mobile phones. The mobile phones service providers should take the initiative to inform the public about the current situation of floodwater through SMS. Televisions and radios must play their role informing the public about current news during the rainy seasons. As we are in the Internet era, perhaps bloggers can also give valuable information about flood situations in their blogs.

Certain areas which are known to be prone to flooding during the rainy seasons should be marked and special warning lights to warn the motorists about the floodwater ahead should be put up. Don’t ever drive your car through the floodwater, as your car would be damaged and could cost you hundreds of dollars to repair it. Workshop owners made a lot of profits during the rainy seasons as there were many cars being towed to their workshops…

Health is also an important issue during rainy seasons. The public is reminded to take precautionary measures to avoid the risks of infectious diseases such as cholera, typhoid and others. Drinking water must first be boiled; food such as vegetables should be cleaned and cooked properly.

Safety is also an important issue during the rainy seasons. Do not allow your children to play outside the house as they could easily drown.

Apart from that, avoid touching electric cables which fall near the floodwater. Food supplies should be sufficient. Are we ready with our food supplies this year?

Lastly, all mosques in Brunei should conduct mass prayers such as sembahyang hajat. I am not sure if we did this last year. If not, we should do it this year. Don’t wait until the situation gets worst. Take actions now.

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