BEAUFORT: Nine schools in the district were closed Thursday due to floods, just a month after the area was hit by the same disaster.
State Education Department Director Datuk Dr Raisin Saidin said eight schools were closed after floodwaters entered their compounds, while another was shut because its access road was impassable.
He said the schools are Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Klias Baru, SK Suasa, SK Lago, SK Mempagar, SK Batu 60, SK Kabajang, SK Jabang and Sekolah Menengah (SM) St Paul.
“Eight schools were directly affected by flooding, while one school, SK Lupak, was not flooded but could not operate due to flooded access routes.
“Overall, nine schools are closed today due to floods,” he said.
He added that the Education Department had to seek assistance from the Fire and Rescue Department to transport exam invigilators for the Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) repeat examinations.
This was necessary after floodwaters affected routes to Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Gadong, which serves as an examination centre.
This is the second flood in a month to strike the district, causing multiple school closures.
Previously, seven schools were closed on the first day of the 2026 school session, on Jan 12.
Earlier, Beaufort District Officer Mohd Nazri Ajun, who chairs the District Disaster Management Committee (JPBD), declared a flood disaster in the district, effective from 9am Thursday.
The declaration followed the overflow of the Padas River, which has affected 18 villages so far.
The disaster declaration coincided with the opening of the Selagon Permanent Relief Centre (PPK) to relocate victims.
