BEAUFORT: Water levels have risen after the gates of the Pangi Hydro Dam were opened following continuous rainfall since Wednesday in Tenom and Keningau, causing Sungai Padas to swell, with the reading in Beaufort recorded at 9.63 metres, which remains below the danger level.
A total of 45 villages have been inundated, involving several villages in the Klias and Lumadan state constituencies.
Beaufort Fire and Rescue Station Chief Ishak Jabas, when contacted on Thursday, said many villages were affected by flooding following heavy rainfall in Keningau and Tenom.
Villages in the Klias constituency affected include Kg Binunuk, Kg Balibata, Simpang 4 Chan Furniture, Kg Bakalau, Kg Melalugus, Kg Melati, Kg Lumatai, Kg Mempagar, SESB Quarters, Railway Quarters, Kg Batu 58, Kg Batu 60, Kg Batu 65, Kg Jempagah, Kg Kitalabak Lumatai, Kg Laboi, Kg Bingkul, Kg Mapait, Kg Limbawang, Kg Lajau, Kg Luagan Sanginan, Kg Cina, Kg Kebulu and Kg Menanjung.
Villages in the Lumadan constituency affected are Kg Sungkadan, Kg Batandok Lubak, Kg Lawa, Kg Lago, Kg Suasa, Kg Kangsa, Kg Berumbai, Kg Poring Lupak, Kg Lupak, Kg Bangkalalak, Kg Tuhu, Kg Selinseng, Kg Beringin, Kg Kabajang Ulu, Kg Kukup, Kg Jabang, Kg Mentulud and Kg Lupak Seberang.
Ishak said the main roads cut off in the Klias constituency are Jalan Kg Binunuk, Jalan Kg Balibata, Jalan Simpang 4 Chan Furniture, Jalan Melalugus, Jalan Labui, Jalan in front of the New Fire Station and Jalan Mahkamah.
He said Jalan Ke Batu 60 remains passable to all vehicles.
In the Lumadan constituency, the affected roads are Jalan Kg Batandok Lubak, Jalan Kg Lawa, Jalan Kg Bangkalalak, Jalan Kg Lago and Jalan Kg Suasa, with many routes impassable.
The Fire and Rescue Department advised the public to exercise caution.
It urged residents to safeguard important documents in waterproof containers and to be prepared for evacuation if instructed, without delay, and to comply with the directives of security personnel.
He said security forces would not be able to return to evacuate those who delay, as they are occupied with rescuing other victims.
As of Thursday, no victims have been relocated, but Temporary Relief Centres (PPS) will be opened to accommodate flood victims and all security agencies are on standby.
“These include personnel from the Social Welfare Department, medical officers from the Ministry of Health Malaysia (KKM), police and Rela,” he said.
He added that the Fire and Rescue Department is on standby with logistics such as rescue boats and utility lorries should the Disaster Operations Control Centre (PKOB) be activated, while evacuations have taken place although the actual number has yet to be confirmed as monitoring continues.
