Floods: Sabah Civil Defence actively monitoring as evacuees increase in Kunak, Penampang

KOTA KINABALU: Floods, landslides and collapsed houses have been reported in several parts of Sabah including Penampang, Tenom, Keningau, Tawau and Kunak following continuous rains over the past two days.

While the floods in some areas have started to recede, there are areas in Sabah’s northern Kunak and west coast Penampang which are still inundated.

The number of flood victims is increasing in these areas as well, said the state Civil Defence Department.

As of 8am Tuesday (Nov 1), the number of evacuees in Kunak stood at 77 people with nine in Penampang.

They are taking shelter at the Dewan Kampung Airpot Batu 10 in Kunak and the Sports Complex in Penampang, respectively.

As for landslides, two have been reported, one along the Tenom-Keningau road and another in Kg Kinasaraban, Kundasang in the Ranau district.

No casualties have been reported so far.

State Civil Defence director Mohtar Samat said surveillance teams have been dispatched to the ground to monitor the current situation.

“We are also going to flood-prone areas to advise residents and villagers to move to higher grounds before any major disaster or flood happens,” he said when contacted Tuesday.

He said for flood victims, evacuation processes were being conducted.

However, there are also those who refuse to move out and stay in the temporary shelters provided due to improved weather in their areas.

“We are working closely with other security agencies including the Sabah Fire and Rescue Department to minimise the impact and to rescue any victims when required,” Mohtar said.