SK Sungai Kebulu, about two hours speedboat ride upriver from here, was forced to cease classes temporarily following concern over the students safety in facing the flood situation, which had also affected several other settlements in the sub-district.

According to information obtained from the Bintulu Member of Parliament's People Service Centre here, the continuous rains and high tide experienced since Tuesday evening had led the Kemena River to swell and flooding Kampung Hilir Sebauh and Kampung Tubau to up to about three feet.

"The situation at the two villages are not that serious as of the time being, considering that the houses built there are all on stilts and way above the ground," said Teo Ho Ping, the special assistant to the Bintulu Member of Parliament, Dato Seri Tiong King Sing.

Despite the situation, the Member of Parliament according to Teo had directed his People Service Centre staff to be on alert and to render whatever assistances and cooperation the District Disaster Relief Committee whenever required.

Meanwhile, a newly-constructed longhouse along Tatau-Sibu Road here narrowly escaped from being buried under tonnes of earth in a landslide that occured late Tuesday.

No casualty had been reported from the landslide that occurred at the hillside near Rh Tandang, a 17-door longhouse about 70 kilometres from here that had yet to be occupied as it had just being completely built less than a month ago.

It is learnt that the District Disaster Relief Committee had directed the Public Works Department to lay canvas to cover the soil surface as temporary measures to prevent further slides, pending a study for a permanent step to avoid earth movement in the area.