KOTA KINABALU: Heavy rain that began on Wednesday (March 19) and continued overnight has worsened flooding in Sabah, forcing 258 evacuees into shelters across Sandakan, Beluran, Kota Marudu, and Paitan as of noon on Thursday (March 20).
The worst-hit district is Sandakan, where 132 evacuees have been placed in two temporary relief centres (PPS). Another 92 people are in shelters in Beluran, while three evacuees remain housed in Paitan. Kota Marudu has also started evacuations, with 31 people relocated to SMK Bengkongan, and more being processed at SK Teritipan.
According to the Sabah Disaster Management Committee, floodwaters have affected multiple villages overnight, forcing evacuations and rescue efforts. Authorities remain on high alert as rain continues.
Beluran Fire and Rescue Station Chief Edoen Macheal said emergency teams are monitoring the situation, with roads in some areas still passable but risky.
"Water levels in Muanad 1 remain under control, but flash floods have been reported in several villages. Response teams have been deployed to Kampung Balaban Jaya and Kampung Sungai Nangka to assist affected residents.
The weather in Beluran remains drizzly, and we continue to monitor the situation closely," he told The Star.
As of noon on Wednesday, the latest evacuee numbers show 47 people sheltering at PPS Balaban Jaya in Beluran, while 45 are housed at PPS Kampung Sungai Nangka.
Meanwhile, in Kota Marudu, floodwaters continue to rise following continuous rainfall since yesterday. Sungai Bandau and Sungai Bongon have exceeded warning levels, with Sungai Bongon reaching 7.60m at noon.
Authorities have begun evacuating affected residents, with 31 people currently housed at SMK Bengkongan. A second transit relief centre (PPT) at SK Teritipan has been activated, and evacuees are in the process of being registered.
Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) personnel evacuated three people from Kampung Tigaman earlier this morning, and more evacuations are expected as floodwaters continue to rise.
Authorities have also confirmed three landslides in Sandakan following continuous rain. The first incident occurred at Jalan Cecily, leading to a temporary road closure.
The second landslide was reported at Taman Sentosa SD 25 Lorong 5, where debris partially collapsed behind a house.
Another landslide at Kampung Pampang Batu 10 has partially blocked a road, making it impassable for larger vehicles. No casualties have been reported in any of the incidents.
Pitas, which experienced severe flooding earlier this year, has now been officially declared a disaster area.
Pitas District Disaster Management Committee Chairman, Asdie @ Mohd Faizal Hussin, confirmed the declaration at 9.45am today (March 20), but no official evacuee figures have been released yet.
The district saw 806 evacuees from 298 families displaced during the second wave of floods in early March.
Sabah Meteorological Department Director Amirzudi Hashim confirmed that a continuous heavy rain warning is in effect until March 21.
He said the Northeast Monsoon is still active, and rainfall levels are projected to be higher than previous years.
Authorities are urging residents in low-lying and flood-prone areas to stay alert, avoid travelling through flooded roads, and follow evacuation orders if necessary.
Rescue teams remain on standby as floodwaters continue to rise.
