Major floods, power cuts in KK, Penampang after heavy downpour

KOTA KINABALU: A downpour lasting several hours triggered major floods in a host of low-lying areas here and in the neighbouring Penampang district on Sunday (June 30).

There were multiple reports of vehicles unable to pass through several roads as floodwaters continued to rise following heavy rain that started at about noon.

Power has been cut to the areas affected by the floodwaters which started to rise at about 1.30pm.

The situation was also compounded by the high tide at about 4pm, it was learned.

Social media has been inundated with videos of houses being flooded, people walking in waist and neck-high water and cars being almost fully submerged.

In one of the videos, a car could be seen being dragged by brownish floodwaters, believed to be at an apartment complex in Penampang.

Penampang resident Lester Dominic Mojiliu said he was unable to return to his home at Kampung Tanaki as the stretch was not passable even for four-wheel drive vehicles.

“I was told by family members and friends that many places in Penampang are flooded,” he said when contacted.

“I also heard from a friend that his wife had a close call when the car she was in suddenly halted when she decided to drive through the floods.

“She was with their children but fortunately the husband managed to come quickly and get them out of the situation...the current was considerably strong at the time,” he added.

Veterinarian Dr Randolf Paza said his area in Limbanak, Penampang was also fully flooded, while the electricity was also cut.

He added that he had gone to a temporary flood shelter at the Dewan Kebudayaan with his family, salvaging all they could.

“I hope things turn for the better soon and not worsen,” he said, adding this was one of the worst floods he had ever experienced.

Shelter of Hope operator Adrienne Godfrey Johniu, who had started carrying her shelter cats and dogs to higher parts of the home when floods hit, is praying for calmer weather.

“For now, the flood water is almost at our doorstep. Please, I hope it won’t rain anymore,” she said.

Willie Jude, staying in Inanam near here, said his area also experienced a blackout starting at 4pm.

“Our main road Jalan Kionsom was not passable for all vehicles at 5pm,” he said.

Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) officials said they have switched off electricity in all flooded areas, especially in Penampang.

A statement issued by the Penampang Disaster Management Committee secretariat said several villages in the district were inaccessible due to flooding.

The Civil Defence Force (APM) also assessed that Kampung Kolopis and Sugud in Penampang were completely impassable to all vehicles.

Multiple agencies are involved in rescuing flood victims as well as ensuring people’s safety including the police, Fire and Rescue Department, army and the APM while the district’s Disaster Operation Control Centre (PKOB) has been activated.

A notice was issued by Penampang district officer Francis Chong at 7.25pm, declaring the district a disaster area.