Paitan villagers trapped by flooding call for aid

 

Fifteen villagers in Paitan were trapped after floods cut off access to most roads leading in and out of the area. - NSTP/ courtesy JON KILING

BELURAN: Fifteen villagers in Paitan were trapped after floods cut off access to most roads leading in and out of the area.

Native chief Jon Kiling said the area was flooded since Sunday.

"The water level at the road rose up to 4.5m and my house in Kampung Dalamas was inundated.

"This is the third day we are affected by the floods and a few other houses at Kampung Simpangan are also affected by it," he said, adding that he has reported the matter to the authorities for assistance.

Paitan is located about 198km from Beluran. However, the road condition often makes driving hours longer than it is supposed to be.

- NSTP/ courtesy JON KILING

Jon said he feared the situation could get worse if the rain continues forcing the villagers to move to higher ground.

"But more worrying is people may be out of food stock soon.

"We are hoping the authorities could send their assistance as soon as possible," he said.

Meanwhile, with the closure of three temporary relief centres at 5pm, evacuees are now reduced to 912 at 8pm from 1,680 flood victims in the morning.

The flood victims were from 79 villages in three districts - Pitas, Kota Marudu and Beaufort. - NST