Flood alert: Number of evacuees in Sabah rises to more than 450

Penampang MP Datuk Ewon Benedick, who is alo Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Minister, visiting evacuees at the flood relief centre at the Penampang Cultural Centre on Monday (July 1). - Photo: Bernama

KOTA KINABALU: The number of flood victims in Sabah continues to rise, with 464 people from 140 families seeking shelter at four relief centres on Tuesday (July 2) morning, up from 328 people (105 families) on Monday (July 1).

A statement issued by the Secretariat of the Sabah Disaster Management Committee indicated that the number of evacuees at the shelter at the Penampang Cultural Centre has increased to 279 victims (93 families), compared to 165 victims from 67 families on Monday.

"The number of victims at the shelter in Dewan Sri Putatan increased to 138 victims from 34 families, compared to 116 victims from 25 families on Monday," the statement added.

The number of victims at two relief centres in Tuaran remains the same, with 29 victims from eight families still at the shelter at Dewan Balai Raya Kampung Tutu Selupoh, and 18 people from five families still being accommodated at Dewan Balai Raya Kampung Bontoi, near Tamparuli.

Meanwhile, a statement issued by the Sabah Public Works Department (JKR) said that Jalan Lintas Luagan, Sipitang from KM0.5 to KM1.55 is closed to all vehicles as the road stretch is flooded.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department has issued a warning of thunderstorms and heavy rain in several areas in the interior of Sabah, namely Kuala Penyu and Beaufort. - Bernama