Kunak flooded as rest of Sabah feels the heat

KOTA KINABALU: Floods hit Sabah’s southeastern Kunak district in the midst of a scorching dry spell felt across the rest of the state.

Twenty-six victims were evacuated in Kunak following rain in the east coast since Thursday.

Twenty of them were rescued by Fire and Rescue Department personnel early yesterday.

“Five houses were flooded and the occupants sought help from the authorities to be moved to a safer location,” said a department spokesman, adding that a distress call was made at 3.20am.

“The victims included a physically disabled man, seven children and a baby.”

The spokesman said firemen, together with those from other rescue agencies, transferred the victims with help from other villagers who used their own boats in the exercise.

“Currently, there are 26 people who have been evacuated to the temporary flood relief centre at Kampung Airport Kunak,” he said.

The rescue efforts were completed at 6.55am, he added.

Since late last week, the southeastern districts namely Lahad Datu, Kunak, Semporna and Tawau have reported higher rainfall but the rest of Sabah remained dry with the end of the northeast monsoon season.