SIPITANG: Floods caused by heavy rain over the past two days struck 17 villages here on Saturday (May 21), and 32 people from 11 families have been evacuated so far, says the Sabah State Disaster Management Committee.
In a statement Sunday (May 22), the committee said that the villages were Kg Menengah Ulu Sipitang, Kg Skim Sindumin, Kg Pantai, Kg Tanjung Nipis, Kg Kawang, Kg Banting, Kg Bangsal, Kg Jalan Masjid Sindumin, Kg Kawang Baru, Kg Luagan, Kg Luagan Pantai, Kg Masjid Pantai, Kg Pantai Lama, Kg Skim Baru Sindumin, Kg Siputul, Kg Mendulong and Kg Kaban.
The statement said the 32 victims were evacuated from midnight to a relief centre at Mesapol Mini Hall which was opened late Saturday afternoon.
"Heavy rain since Friday (May 20) causing the water levels of Sungai Mengalong and Sungai Lukutan to rise rapidly and overflow... the villages are still flooded," the committe said.
The statement said that six roads in the area were only passable to heavy vehicles and four-wheel-drive vehicles.
The roads are Jalan Kampung Menengah, Jalan Kampung Tanjung Nipis, Jalan Kampung Bangsa, Jalan Luagan Sindumin, Jalan Skim Sindumin and Jalan Masjid Kampung Pantai.
The weather in Sipitang was sunny on Sunday, but rainy in some areas in Sabah, including the east coast of Sandakan and Tawau. - Bernama
