4,000 villagers in Pitas cut off by floods

 

Sabah Public Works Department (JKR) director Ali Ahmad Hamid inspecting the collapsed stretch at Jalan Suang Dayang Layak in Pitas, on Friday. - Photo courtesy of Sabah JKR

PITAS: Some 4,000 villagers were left stranded after roads linking 13 villages near here were damaged following continuous downpour recently.

Sabah Public Works Department (PWD) director Ali Ahmad Hamid said the department would conduct repair works on the damaged roads and collapsed bridge soon, using emergency allocations.

"I and the district engineer have conducted a follow-up visit to inspect the damages and prepare a full report. We will estimate the cost to carry out the job shortly.

"The repair works will be carried out based on the requirements of the Treasury AP 55 under the emergency provision to ensure cut-off villagers can be connected soon," he said in a statement.

affected areas, including a collapsed bridge at Sungai Paparoun Telaga.

Among the roads affected were Jalan Suang Dayang Layak (KM0.25) and at the KM4.25 stretch, about 50 kilometres away from Pitas town.

Ali Ahmad said Deputy Chief Minister cum state Public Works Minister Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin had been informed and given a detailed report of the situation.

He added that Bung Moktar had also asked the department to take immediate action to repair all damages so the people could continue to carry on with their daily activity.

Continuous rain had brought floods to several districts across Sabah. The worst to suffer was Pitas district which has seen several landslides as well as a collapsed bridge at Sungai Paparoun Telaga.

Following this, thousands of villagers from 13 villages and surrounding areas were cut-off. The villagers were also badly affected by the flood, where some had to be evacuated to relative's houses on higher ground due to the absence of a temporary relief centre.

Ali Ahmad said the PWD is currently carrying out cleaning and rehabilitation works on the damaged roads due to landslides.

In the latest update, flood evacuees at temporary relief centres were reduced to 313 victims as of 4pm.

Seven temporary relief centres in four districts are still operating. The districts remained affected by the flood are Pitas (180 evacuees), Beaufort (6); Lahad Datu (28); and Paitan (73).

In Pitas, district officer Bakri Nanun said the district disaster management committee had taken initiatives to send food supply to trapped villagers with the help of police helicopter service.

He said four locations have been used as helicopter landing points namely SK Liau, SK Malubang, SMK Telaga, and SK Maringgan. - NST