KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s south-western Sipitang district has been declared a flood disaster area following continuous heavy rain and rising river levels.
Sipitang District Disaster Management Committee chairman Abd Karim Zahari declared the flood disaster at noon on Wednesday (Feb 11), as 34 people from 13 families were evacuated from four low-lying kampongs in the district.
The Department of Irrigation and Drainage warned that the water level of Sungai Mengalong at Kampung Paru Siku Station had reached a dangerous level of 12.018m as of 9am on Wednesday, and that it was expected to rise further if the rain continued.
The water level at Sungai Lukutan at Kampung Melalia Station was at the alert level, at 10.381 metres. The department cautioned that high tide could further raise water levels.
Personnel from the Civil Defence Force (APM) have facilitated the evacuation of affected people, while other agencies are on alert in the district.
