KOTA KINABALU: Firefighters in Beaufort are battling rising floodwaters, extreme cold, and exhaustion as they race to evacuate stranded residents.
For days, teams from the Beaufort fire station have been navigating hazardous currents, facing hypothermia from prolonged exposure in floodwaters while responding to distress calls.
Beaufort station chief Mohammad Hasbullah Nenggok said the evacuation mission has been ongoing since Friday (March 7), with 36 firefighters on the ground supported by reinforcements from Kota Kinabalu, Penampang, Lintas, Putatan, Kuala Penyu and Sipitang.
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"The operation involves rescuing flood victims from 24 affected villages and relocating them to temporary relief centres," he said on Monday (March 10).
Among the worst-hit areas are Kampung Cina, Balibata, Bakalau, Bingkul, Lumatai, Muhibbah Baru, Lupak, Batu 60, Batandok, Lago, Padas Baru, Beaufort Selatan, Selagon, Taman Muhibbah, Kampung Padas Valley, Luagan, Kubu, Mempagar, Bangkalalak, Suasa, Lubak, Pintas, Lumadan and Jaya Baru.
Hasbullah said the challenges rescuers face include rushing floodwaters that make navigation by boat dangerous, submerged roads with no clear paths for rescue vehicles, and extreme cold that is taking its toll on them.
"Some team members are battling hypothermia from being in the water for too long.
"On top of that, exhaustion is setting in as we respond to non-stop emergency calls, and many of us are fasting," he said.
Nonetheless, he said, evacuation efforts are proceeding smoothly.
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He urged residents in low-lying areas to relocate before the situation gets worse.
"We also ask victims to remain patient during the evacuation process.
"The sheer number of affected residents means our teams are stretched thin, but we are doing everything we can to reach everyone," Hasbullah added.
The operation is a multi-agency effort, with assistance from the police, the Malaysian Civil Defence Department, the Malaysian Armed Forces, the Health Ministry and Rela.
The floods have brought business activities in Beaufort to a standstill, making all roads into town impassable and submerging most ground-floor premises, leaving only the tops of vehicles visible.
Stilted buildings, including old shop lots designed to withstand floods, a distinctive feature of Beaufort, have also been affected, along with the railway station, clinics, petrol stations, and nearly all other structures, except those on higher ground.
