Malaysian Civil Defence Force personnel rushed an elderly woman to the Keningau District Hospital after she was bitten by a snake in Kampung Kauran on Wednesday night (Feb 5).
KOTA KINABALU: An elderly woman was rushed to the hospital for a snake bite while evacuating from a flood-hit village at night in Sabah.
The victim, believed to be in her 60s, was wading through floodwaters in Kampung Kauran, Keningau, when the snake struck, sinking its fangs into her left hand.
She was attempting to reach higher ground amid rising waters when she was attacked, according to the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM).
Emergency responders transported her to the Keningau District Hospital at 10.38pm on Wednesday (Feb 5) for treatment. Her condition is reported to be stable.
Authorities have urged residents to exercise caution when moving through floodwaters, warning of hidden dangers, including venomous snakes.
Heavy rains have submerged at least 11 low-lying areas in Keningau and Kinabatangan, displacing at least 66 people in Keningau alone.
A flood emergency was declared in Keningau at 1am on Thursday (Feb 6), with evacuees relocated to the Dewan Koningau temporary relief centre.
The total number of displaced residents across flood-hit areas, including Kinabatangan, has risen to 319 from 81 families across 76 affected villages in the two districts.
“We have mobilised all relevant agencies to assist affected residents and are closely monitoring the situation,” said District Officer Peter Jonu @ J Moinjil, who chairs the District Disaster Management Committee.
APM personnel also retrieved essential belongings from a victim’s vehicle after they mistakenly drove into a drain and assisted a van driver who got stuck while attempting to pass through a muddy section.
As of Thursday noon, floodwaters in Keningau had receded, but the road to Gunsanad II remains submerged due to a clogged drain, extending to Taman Bariawa.
The road is passable to both small and large vehicles, except for access to and from Taman Bariawa, which is only navigable by larger vehicles.
Water levels at Sungai Bariawa have receded, while readings at Sungai Sook in Biah and Sungai Pegalan in Ansip have returned to normal.
Inspections in affected areas were conducted by APM officers, Liawan assemblyman Datuk Annuar Ayub Aman, the district officer, and the police chief as flood relief efforts continued.
Although the weather has improved, authorities remain on high alert, urging residents to stay vigilant.
