Sabahans anxious as rain continues to lash west coast

 

Floods have affected several districts in the state, including Penampang, Kota Kinabalu, Sepanggar and Tuaran. (Bernama pic)

KOTA KINABALU: Continuous rain since yesterday is causing anxiety among residents living in the west coast of Sabah as they fear the flood situation will worsen.

As of 10am today, it was still raining in several districts in the state including Penampang, Kota Kinabalu, Sepanggar and Tuaran.

The districts hit by floods today are Kota Kinabalu, Penampang, Putatan, Tuaran and Papar. Yesterday, Pitas, Beaufort and Paitan were the first to be affected.

The Penampang district police headquarters was hit by floods, affecting some of its operations.

District police chief Mohd Haris Ibrahim said despite the situation, its personnel continued to carry out flood monitoring operations, including traffic control in the affected areas.

Checks found that some roads in Penampang are only accessible to four-wheel-drive vehicles. Among the roads are Jalan Kiranau Inobong, Jalan Kolopis, Jalan Datuk Panglima Banting, Jalan Kibabaig and Jalan Kivatu Kasigui.

A Kampung Babah Penampang resident, Piju Ladatang, said his house was inundated from 5pm yesterday following continuous rain since morning.

“Even though the water flowed into the house all of a sudden, we were lucky to have enough time to pack and store our things before they got wet,” he said.

Another villager, Jupirin Sagang, 56, who lives near Pekan Donggongon, said his house was submerged last night.

“Though the water started to recede early this morning, the house is still flooded due to the continuous rain.

“Household items on the ground floor, such as mattresses and household appliances, were destroyed,” he said, adding that his house had been inundated eight times in the last few years.

As of 8am today, the number of flood evacuees in the state had risen to 176 from 122 last night. They are being housed at seven relief centres.

Haris said the public could contact the district disaster operations room at 088-726054 for enquiries and help.

Yeserday, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) had issued a weather alert about heavy rain for several areas in Sabah and Sarawak until tomorrow (Monday).

MetMalaysia said the affected areas are Sipitang, Tenom, Kuala Penyu, Beaufort, Keningau and Tambunan, the west coast, Kudat, Telupid, Beluran and Sandakan.

In Sarawak, areas affected will be Kuching, Serian, Samarahan, Sri Aman, Betong, Sarikei, Sibu, Mukah, Bintulu, Miri (Subis, Beluru, Miri and Marudi) and Limbang. Labuan will also be affected by heavy rain. - FMT