TENOM: Tenom is facing its worst flood disaster in more than a decade, with extensive efforts underway to assist affected residents and ensure their safety.
Sabah Rural Development Minister Datuk Rubin Balang said that in view of the current situation and with public safety as the top priority, Tenom District Officer Alexander Liew had declared a disaster status for the district on Wednesday (Feb 25).
Rubin, who is also the Kemabong assemblyman, said the declaration was crucial.
"I understand this is among the worst floods Tenom has experienced. I also chaired a special meeting at the Disaster Operations Room at the Tenom District Office to discuss follow-up actions, logistical requirements and immediate assistance for affected residents," he said when contacted Thursday (Feb 26).
Tenom, located about 148 kilometres south of Kota Kinabalu, recorded the highest number of flood evacuees in Sabah, with 1,848 people from 647 families placed in eight relief centres as of noon on Thursday.
Meanwhile, oil palm smallholder Ginus Ampal, 54, recalled that the last time Tenom experienced such severe flooding was in 2014, following continuous heavy rain and a rapid rise in river water levels, a situation he said closely resembled the current disaster.
The father of four said he was resting at his home in Kampung Bunut late Wednesday evening when he was awakened by muddy water surging into his living room.
"The water rose much faster than in previous floods. My wife and I were in shock and only managed to grab important documents and a few clothes before the water reached waist level in less than an hour.
"I watched as our garden and farming equipment, our family's source of income, were submerged in an instant," he said tearfully. He is now sheltering at the Dewan Masyarakat Sri Antenom centre.
Retail shop owner Rita Erin Kating, 38, described the experience of seeing strong currents inundate her premises in Pekan Tenom as terrifying and unforgettable.
She said she had been trying to move goods to higher ground early that night but was forced to abandon the effort when the water rose above chest level in less than two hours.
"Everything happened too quickly. Heavy rain since the evening caused the river to overflow into the shop area with a powerful current, unlike the usual floods we've experienced over the past 10 years.
"My husband and I had to give up on saving our merchandise and focus on escaping. Almost 80 per cent of the daily essentials in the shop were destroyed by the mud," said Rita, who is sheltering at the same centre. – Centre
