KOTA KINABALU: More than 600 residents from 76 villages across Sabah have been sheltered in six relief centres amid rising flood levels in the past two days.
A total of 616 displaced residents from 165 families were evacuated from three flood-affected districts in Sabah.
In Beaufort, Sabah’s flood-prone district, the number of evacuees at Dewan Selagon relief centre has increased. In contrast, figures in Keningau remain unchanged, Kinabatangan has recorded a decrease, and Tambunan has activated its relief centre.
The Malaysian Civil Defence Force said as of Friday noon (Feb 7), 232 residents from Kampung Suasa, representing 68 families, have taken refuge at the centre, which was reactivated after being declared closed the previous week.
Heavy rainfall over the past two days has caused flooding in several villages in the Beaufort and Keningau zones, with rising water levels in the Padas River forcing road closures and affecting schools.
As of Friday, the river had risen to 9.46m, surpassing the danger level of 8.70m in Beaufort.
Low-lying villages are inundated, with Kampung Binunuk, Kampung Balibata, Kampung Bakalau, and Kampung Batu 60 among the worst affected.
Authorities have confirmed that Jalan Batu 60, Kampung Binunuk, Kampung Balibata, Kampung Bakalau, and Kampung Gumarit are impassable, while only heavy vehicles can access Kampung Bingkul, Kampung Lago, and Kampung Suasa.
Three schools—SK Suasa, SK Lago, and SK Bangkalalak—have been affected by the floods, while at least 25 villages, including Kampung Sungakadan, Kampung Melati, and Kampung Lupak, are dealing with rising waters.
Civil defence has deployed three personnel and a Hilux Revo vehicle for monitoring and assistance. Residents are advised to remain vigilant as water levels continue to rise.
In Keningau, 132 people from 32 families are seeking shelter at Dewan Koningau and Keningau Community Hall relief centres, while the number of evacuees in Kinabatangan has dropped to 252 displaced residents from 65 families.
Non-stop rainfall has also caused rivers to overflow in Tambunan, prompting authorities to activate a relief centre at the district community hall.
The centre currently houses 13 evacuees from four households, including seven children.
“We have decided to activate the relief centre after an assessment found that the affected residents’ homes were unsafe,” said Tambunan District Officer Sobitun Makajil, who also chairs the District Disaster Management Committee.
Meanwhile, the Sandakan Fire and Rescue Department was alerted to a landslide along Jalan Cecily Tanah Merah at 12.30am on Thursday.
Operations commander Alan Ayuh led seven personnel to the scene located seven kilometres from the fire station.
“It has been raining continuously in Sandakan, which we believe caused the landslide. The incident occurred along the road but did not affect any residential structures. However, rock debris fell onto the roadway.
“We cleared the debris and conducted inspections. After ensuring no further hazards at the location, the operation was called off at 1.03am,” said Sandakan Fire and Rescue Station chief Severinus @ Mohd Nidzam Sainkui.
