Flash floods hit several areas in Sabah’s west coast after downpour

One of the roads in the Sabah capital that was hit by the flash flood.

KOTA KINABALU: Several low-lying areas in Sabah’s west coast have been hit by flash floods after a five-hour downpour on Wednesday (July 12).However, emergency services did not report any serious incidents or calls for assistance for evacuation following heavy rain that started at about noon.

Two houses were hit by a minor landslip in the Telipok refugee settlement scheme near here but a spokesman with the Fire and Rescue Department said no one was hurt.

Firemen are, however, continuing to monitor the area, added the spokesman.

Reports indicated that some roads in Likas, Manggatal, Kolombong, Inanam, Sepanggar as well as parts of neighbouring Tuaran and Papar districts, among others, have been flooded, allowing only heavy vehicles to pass through.

SK Rampayan in Manggatal as well as the Queen Elizabeth Hospital I were among the places reported to be inundated with water.

Civil Defence Force personnel on standby a flood-hit stretch.

Traffic has also been reduced to a crawl in many parts of the state capital due to flood waters.

Internet users have been sharing videos and photos of the floods in various locations.

Besides the Fire and Rescue Department, various agencies like the Civil Defence Force, police and Rela have been mobilised and are now on standby to respond to any emergency situation.

Meteorologists said western Sabah and northern Sarawak are expected to see thunderstorms, strong winds and heavy rain for three days beginning Wednesday.

In a statement, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) said that the bad weather condition was due to a low pressure system developing in the west of the Philippines and moving in a northwest direction towards southern China.

MetMalaysia said the situation is expected to cause an increase in the speed and concentration of westerly winds in waters off western Sabah and northern Sarawak from July 13 to 15.

It has also issued a strong wind and rough sea warning for the waters of the South China Sea from July 15 to 18.