KOTA KINABALU: Firemen and rescuers are out in full force responding to calls for help following floods in various districts, including Penampang, Tuaran, Inanam, and Menggatal.
According to the State Fire and Rescue Operation Centre, they have received hundreds of calls for help and are urging those affected by floods to evacuate if possible.
These calls are from Tuaran, Inanam, Menggatal and Penampang.
Response units are being deployed from Tuaran, Kota Kinabalu, Lintas and Penampang fire stations.
Among the villages, roads and areas affected are Jalan Kiulu, Kpg. Baru Selaut, Kpg Regangan Lama, Kpg. Kokol, Kpg Kionsom Baru, Ulu Kionsom, Rampaian Laut, Kpg Dambai and Kpg Pemotodon.
In Penampang, one of the worst-hit districts, affected areas include Kpg Inopok, Kolopis, Limbanak, Kpg Tuavon, Kibabaig, Sugut, Penampang Proper, Timpoluon, Kituau, Pagan Sakan, Kibatu, Kasigui, Nampasan, Inobong, Kpg Sunon, and Moyog.
Places like Kimoligam, Mambagon, Kpg Gong Dabak, Kpg Agut Jubili, Kpg Peropok, Dongkahang and Kambau are also flooded.
Social media is filled with videos and reports of vehicles being submerged, houses damaged, and crops and livestock destroyed. Many have also gone online to share about the situation in their villages and ask for help.
Lintas Fire Station chief Agustavia Joe Guasi said they were responding to calls for help and faced various challenges, including blocked and cut-off roads and safety concerns for rescuers.
“Those who can leave or move to higher grounds, please do so while waiting for help to arrive. We are trying our best to reach as many people as possible,” she said.
Penampang MP Datuk Ewon Benedick visited the Dewan Kebudayaan temporary relief centre and donated RM20,000 to the district disaster committee for necessary rescue work.
Apart from firemen, Civil Defence officials and volunteers have also come out to assist with evacuation work.
The heavy downpour caused road collapse, landslides, soil erosion, fallen trees and many other destructions.
As of 8pm, one relief centre with three evacuated families has been opened, the Dewan Kebudayaan in Penampang.
Penampang has been declared a natural disaster area.
