Four districts in Sabah hit by floods

© Provided by Media Prima The affected areas are Kota Kinabalu, Penampang, Tuaran, and Papar. (pic courtesy of NSTP Reader)

KOTA KINABALU: Several districts in Sabah are flooded, following continuous downpour that started this afternoon.

The affected areas are Kota Kinabalu, Penampang, Tuaran, and Papar.

As at 7pm, Sabah Fire and Rescue Department has received 50 calls regarding flooding in the four districts.

“At the moment, firefighters are monitoring the flooded locations.

[[gn4id:31485183]]

"There is a possibility of evacuation process to be carried out but we have yet to receive reports from our personnel on the ground,” said the department's spokesperson.

In Penampang, traffic came to a standstill as Sungai Moyog broke its bank, inundating low lying areas and causing several stretches of roads to be impassable.

Heavy rain upriver also caused the river to swell late in the afternoon, catching many residents by surprise as the water level rose drastically between 4pm and 5pm.

A spokesman for the state Water Department said the level at Sungai Moyog was below the 4m mark at 4pm but breached the 7m mark within an hour.

At about 8pm, the level was recorded at 9m, the spokesman said.

A district Fire and Rescue Department spokesman said efforts are on going to reach several villages where calls have been made, requesting for assistance.

“Several stretches are no longer passable for most vehicles so we have dispatched our trucks and boats to reach the low lying villages,” he said.

“Among the affected areas are in Dungkahang, Kolopis, Kibabaig, Tanaki, Tuavon, Kasigui, Penampang Proper, Dabak and Inobong. These are among the areas badly affected.”

Sabah Civil Defence Department spokesperson said the department had also received calls about uprooted trees in Putatan, Kolombong, Manggatal, Inanam and Telupid.

Works to clear the roads were being carried out.

Meanwhile, state Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Christina Liew said the flash floods have created much disruption and inconvenience to the people.

“I hope the relevant authorities will quickly put in place an irrigation plan to divert the flood water quickly to minimise the situation.” she said.