Floods hit several districts on Sabah west coast

Flood waters surge past a house in Kota Belud, Sabah, last night.

KOTA KINABALU: Incessant rain and overflowing rivers have flooded several districts on the west coast of Sabah.

Several areas in Kota Belud, Penampang and Membakut near Beaufort are inundated following heavy rain from late afternoon until early last night.

Landslides were also reported near Kadamaian and along Jalan Kimanis-Keningau, forcing vehicles to turn away.

Vehicles turn away after Jalan Kimanis-Keningau is blocked by a landslide.

According to the Civil Defence Force, seven roads in Kota Belud were under water and closed to traffic. It said authorities were keeping watch over Sungai Abai and Sungai Tampasuk.

In Membakut, Kampung Bambangan is flooded while Sungai Membakut has been placed under watch, and in Penampang, residents have reported flooding in Kampung Sugud, about 15km from Donggongon town.

Videos and photos of houses being flooded, destruction of properties, and vehicles partially submerged have gone viral on social media.

District disaster management agencies have been urged to be on standby for eventualies, including preparations for temporary relief centres. - FMT