KOTA KINABALU: As floodwaters rose around her home in Kampung Ulu Mawao, Membakut, Maria Alex lay helpless, hoping for a miracle to get her to her life-saving dialysis treatment.
The 48-year-old, who is partially paralysed, needed urgent medical attention at the Beaufort District Hospital. However, with roads submerged and currents growing stronger, her chances of getting out seemed slim.
Thankfully, her prayers were answered when a team of four Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) personnel responded to the distress call, braving the rising waters to reach her home.
Carefully, they lifted her onto a stretcher and carried her through the flood-ridden village to their waiting ambulance.
She was successfully transported to the hospital at 11.09am on Saturday (Feb 8).
“She is safe now, and that’s all that matters,” said one of the rescuers, who waded through thigh-deep waters to reach her.
Membakut, a sub-district in Sabah’s southwestern Beaufort district, about 90km from here, was officially declared a disaster area at 3pm on Saturday.
"Based on reports and ground assessments, we are declaring Membakut a disaster area and have activated the Dewan SMK Membakut relief centre to house displaced residents," said district officer Ibrahim Terki.
According to the Secretariat of the Sabah State Disaster Management Committee, as of 4pm on Saturday, 721 displaced residents from 212 families were housed in five relief centres in three flood-affected districts: Beaufort, Kinabatangan, and Tambunan.
Beaufort recorded the highest number, with 430 evacuees sheltering in two centres—Dewan Selagon and Dewan Bisaya.
In Kinabatangan, 278 people sought refuge at Sekolah Kebangsaan Sukau and Sekolah Kebangsaan Bukit Garam, while 13 residents were placed in the Tambunan Community Hall relief centre.
Meanwhile, Keningau district officer Peter Jonu @ Peter J Moinjil confirmed that two relief centres—Dewan Koningau and Keningau Community Hall—were officially closed at 1pm and 3pm, respectively, on Saturday.
The centres, which had been active since Feb 6, sheltered 132 evacuees. All of them have now returned home with assistance from APM and other agencies.
COMPLIMENTARY
SABAH SARAWAK
FLOOD ALERT
Situation Report, Rescue, Dialysis, Partially Paralysed, APM,
