KOTA KINABALU: Engineers are ready to provide their expertise to assist the state agencies in mitigating flooding issues facing the state capital.
Amid the latest floods here over the weekend, the Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM) Sabah Branch are willing to provide technical support and professional input to relevant authorities, agencies, and stakeholders.
Its chairman, K.J. Tan, said this is to address both the immediate impacts and long-term mitigation measures related to the flood incident.
“Our members comprise experienced professionals in civil engineering, hydrology, drainage and flood control, geotechnical engineering, coastal engineering, urban infrastructure planning, and environmental engineering.
“If requested, IEM Sabah can contribute through the technical advice and professional opinions, independent engineering assessments, review of drainage and flood mitigation strategies and share best practices and lessons learnt from similar flood-prone regions,” Tan said in a statement.
He said the flood incidents were often due to complex and interrelated factors, including extreme weather, limited drainage capacity, urban development patterns, tidal influences and constraints on long-term infrastructure.
He said the latest flood affecting several areas in Kota Kinabalu was of serious concern as it caused damage to properties as well as hardship to affected communities and businesses in the areas.
Tan said IEM Sabah believes that effective flood management requires a coordinated, data-driven, and technically sound approach, supported by professional expertise and long-term planning.
He added that collaboration among government agencies, local authorities, technical professionals, and the community is essential to develop resilient and sustainable solutions for Kota Kinabalu and Sabah as a whole.
“We reaffirm IEM Sabah’s commitment to serving the public interest and supporting initiatives that enhance infrastructure resilience, public safety, and environmental sustainability,” Tan said.
As of Monday (Jan 5), following the weekend flood, the number of evacuees at temporary relief centres overnight remained 513 people from 177 families in three districts - Beaufort, Kota Kinabalu, and Kota Belud.
Beaufort recorded the highest number of victims, with 338 people from 120 families, Kota Kinabalu reported 158 victims from 53 families and Kota Belud recorded 17 victims from four families.
So far, no fatalities have been reported from the floods that began last Saturday amid continued late afternoon rains in west coast Sabah.
