A total of 12 flights to and from Lawas were cancelled yesterday after the Lawas Airport was closed due to a flash flood caused by heavy rain the night before.
According to MASwings, the flights that were cancelled were from Lawas to Limbang, Lawas to Miri, and vice versa.
When contacted, Sarawak Transport Minister Datuk Sri Lee Kim Shin stated that the airport would be closed for three days until November 11.
“Malaysia Airport Sdn Bhd (MASB) has issued a notice to airmen (NOTAM) for three days of runway closure at Lawas Airport for MASB operations to clean up, inspect, and repair any damage caused by the flash flood.”
“The final inspection will be carried out by Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) Lawas and to declare whether the runway is safe to be opened for flights,” the official said.
Meanwhile, when contacted, Lawas fire station chief Azman Ibrahim stated that the firefighters are still cleaning and clearing the airport.
“As of 1pm today, our men are still working on the ground to clean and clear the airport runaway,” he went on to say.
Lawas Airport is one of a few areas in Lawas which were hit by flash flood last night following torrential rain.
The airport is flood-prone due to its location which is situated next to the Lawas river. It will be inundated every time it rains heavily for a few hours.
