22 Sabah schools close due to floods

KOTA KINABALU: Twenty-two schools in Sabah’s northern Kota Marudu and Pitas districts were closed as heavy overnight rain triggered flooding in low-lying areas and cut off at least five main roads.

Some 145 people from three villages were evacuated to relief centres as flood waters continue to rise in the two districts.

Sabah Education Department director Datuk Maimunah Suhaibul said Wednesday some 6,000 pupils and students were affected by the school closure.

Among the schools closed in Kota Marudu were SK Langkon, SK Masalog, SK Ranau, SK Tumundu Salimandut, SK Pekan Kota Marudu, SK Mengaris, SK Mangaris, SK Koromoko, SJKC Khoi Ming, SK Tandek, SK Ongkilan, SK Timbang Batu, SK Temuno Teringai Data, SK Talantang 1, SK Bintasan and SMK Langkon.

The schools affected in neighbouring Pitas district were SK Pandan Mandamai, SK Pinapak, SK Mandurian, SK Nibang and SK Dandun.

Among the 12 worst hit villages were Kg Taripan, Kg Morion and Longob, where relief workers moved in to help trapped families out of their homes to send them to relief centres opened at community halls.

Five main roads into the villages were cut off and electricity supply was disrupted.

Sabah civil defence director Kol Muliadi Al-Hamdi Ladin told the media that the Sungai Bongon level was at 8.3m, past the 7.9m danger level, while Sungai Bandau is at the danger level of 6m.

The flood situation in Sabah’s central Beluran district has improved with only one village – Kg Jaya Bakti – reportedly still inundated, but the water is receding slowly.