Whisked to safety: Firemen rescuing flood victims in Lahad Datu.
KOTA KINABALU: Several days of heavy rain have not only forced residents to evacuate their homes but also caused significant damage to roads, blocking key routes, including parts of the Sandakan-Kota Kinabalu highway.
While authorities work to identify passable roads, the Public Works Department (JKR) and road concessionaires have begun emergency inspections to assess the damage.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya said that a report on passable and impassable stretches has been submitted to him.
“JKR and the concessionaires are actively assessing the conditions and taking immediate action to ensure the roads are safe for use.”
Shahelmey added that repairs are already underway, with major structural work in the worst-hit areas being handled by JKR headquarters.
The Telupid-Sandakan road, where floodwaters submerged the Sapi Nangoh roundabout, has been among the most severely affected, cutting off travel between Sandakan and Kota Kinabalu.
He assured the public that repairs will continue to restore access to the region.
The Welfare Services Department said 3,944 people from 1,334 families are sheltering at 30 temporary evacuation centres across 10 flood-affected districts in Sabah as of press time.
