MIRI: Torrential rain in Miri city since Saturday night (Jan 6)  caused floods and mudflows in two villages.

These resulted in hillslopes to collapse and the evacuation of 15 families.

The Fire and Rescue Department and Civil Defence Department assisted in the evacuation and are also at various locations to check on the safety of houses and roads.

Miri Civil Defence chief Capt Hazle Shah said floods and mudflow in Kg Pujut Tanjung Batu saw eight houses affected.

Twenty-nine people were temporarily evacuated to Masjid Darul Ehsan in Kg Piasau Jaya.

Another 24 people from seven families in Kg Lereng Bukit were also evacuated to a community hall.

They were told to vacate their homes following the collapse of sections of slopes at Canada Hill overlooking the village.

Miri Fire and Rescue Department chief Supt Law Poh Kiong said those living at the foothills or on top of the slopes must exercise extra caution.

The soil has become loose due to heavy water flow from continuous downpour, he said.