Kota Belud is worst hit by flood waters

Deep trouble: Roads and homes totally and partially submerged after the river burst its banks in Kota Belud.

KOTA KINABALU: Many areas in Sabah are inundated by floods, with Kota Belud district being the worst hit.

An aerial view showed the district partially submerged in water, as it has been continuously pouring for almost a week.

Universiti Malaysia Sabah geologist Dr Felix Tongkul said the flood was a result of the 2015 earthquake and aftershocks that loosened the earth and boulders from the mountains.

Kota Belud is situated below the mountains.

Almost all the villages along the Kadamaian River suffered severe flooding, he said.

“My worst fear on the post impact of the June 5, 2015, Mount Kinabalu earthquake has become a reality,” he said.

Dr Felix said he was told by some villagers that even areas that have never experienced flooding were hit this time.

He said debris and mudslides after the quake had made the Kadamaian river channel shallower due to sedimentation.

This worsens the flood situation each time it rains, as the river can no longer cope with the huge amount of rain, especially water that flows from Mount Kinabalu, Dr Felix said.

The number of displaced villagers in Kota Belud has risen, with the Civil Defence Department recording some 1,824 people being evacuated as of yesterday.

Department acting director Lt-Kol Mohd Izaimi Md Daud said these evacuees were placed in seven temporary shelters including the Tun Said Community Centre, SMK Agama Tun Said school hall, SMK Taun Gusi I, Muhibah Tombol Hall, SMK Taun Gusi II and SMK Arshad.

He said the authorities were facing difficulty ascertaining the extent of flooding and trapped villagers as many roads were not passable.

“The floodwater currents are quite strong and we have limited assets,” he said.

However, he said, they are working closely with the rescue agencies to find alternative routes to evacuate villagers. In Tuaran, 120 people have been evacuated.

Other affected areas include Kota Kinabalu, Penampang, Kuala Penyu, Beaufort, Sipitang, Tenom, Ke­­ningau, Tambunan, Kudat, Labuan and some parts of Sarawak.