KOTA KINABALU: The Tawau district has been declared a disaster zone on Saturday (July 25) with floods hitting many areas since late Friday (July 24) night.
The Tawau Natural Disaster Committee made the declaration at 8.30am, with water levels feared to be rising amid continued rains.
No evacuation centres have been opened as yet, but agencies such as the Civil Defence Force and Fire and Rescue Department have been on the ground monitoring situations and responding to distress calls.
Nevertheless, some villagers have started seeking shelter at higher ground including in mosques and relatives' houses when flood waters reached their own homes.
Some of the affected areas are at Tanjung Batu Keramat, Taman Ria 1, Taman Hot Spring, Taman Sunshu and Taman Sri Balung residential areas.
Some 48 villagers affected by floods have moved to a nearby mosque for the time being.
According to the Malaysia Meteorological Departments, thunderstorms are expected to fall in Tawau until noon, Saturday.
