The fine weather in the upper reaches of the Rajang River since yesterday helped eased the flood situation in Sibu as well as in Kapit, Song and Kanowit.

Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu said the floods since Saturday were due to heavy rainfalls upstream.

"The Malaysian Meteorological Department has forecast fine weather in the next few days, too," he told reporters prior to visiting the affected areas in Sibu and in Kanowit, Song, Kapit, Bau, Lundu and Sematan.

On the flood situation in Sibu, Jabu said the highest level, at 2.94m, was recorded at Loba Lembangan yesterday.

The flood receded to 2.90m today despite the presence of the king tide at 8am, he said.

Most major roads close to the Rajang River, however, were still under floodwaters and were only passable to heavy vehicles.

Meanwhile, Jabu said for safety reasons the government recommended the closure of schools if their compounds or access roads were flooded.

A report from the Divisional Education Office to the flood operations room said 18 primary and two secondary schools in Sibu were closed today.

Jabu added that except for Song, there had been no evacuations in other affected areas although 38 centres had been set up in Sibu, eight in Selangau and 54 in Kanowit.

"In Song, we evacuated seven people but they would have already returned to their homes by now," he said.

The situation in Engkilili was also improving, he said.

- Bernama