TELUPID: Residents described the recent flooding, which inundated six villages in Mukim Nangoh, as overwhelming, with floodwaters rising quickly despite the lack of heavy rainfall.
The swift onset of the flood left many with little time to save their belongings, prompting urgent evacuations to temporary evacuation centres (PPS).
Kampung Ganah Jati Village Development and Security Committee chairman Rudi Addy, 39, said the situation was “devastating” as the water rose so quickly that 85% of the houses in the village were submerged.
“Residents’ livelihoods have been severely impacted as they are not able to harvest palm oil due to the floods. We’re not a wealthy community and once the floodwaters recede, it will be a struggle to recover,” he told Bernama.
The Sabah Disaster Management Committee Secretariat reported that the number of flood victims had risen to 5,617 individuals from 1,899 families by 8am yesterday, with 39 PPS activated.
In Telupid alone, 413 victims, from 110 families, were evacuated to five PPS.
Silvester Amat, 40, the officer-in-charge of Mukim Nangoh, described this year’s floods as worse than the major floods of 2022, with a higher number of residents affected.
“I have alerted the Disaster Operations Control Centre and relevant agencies to assist residents of the affected villages.
“Mukim Nangoh has 11 villages, and six of them were severely impacted due to their location in low-lying areas. We require immediate help,” he added.
Kampung Ganah Jati resident Aninah Abdullah, 73, was in tears as she recounted her damaged and submerged household items, including her refrigerator and washing machine.
Aninah, who lives with her two grandchildren, also lost goods for her small sundry shop, such as instant noodles, crackers and shelves, all washed away by the floodwaters.
“Please help us. I don’t know where to go as my house is in terrible condition. The plywood floor is unstable and I fear it’s unsafe to live in,” she said.
“I hope the government will provide help.”
