Kota Kinabalu: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor assured that the State Government through the State Disaster Command Centre (JPBN) is closely monitoring the flood situation in affected areas.
He said all available resources are being deployed through the district Disaster Management Committees to provide relief and assist victims in the affected areas.
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“I have instructed the Disaster Management Committee to activate its machinery to ensure swift assistance is rendered to those in need,” he said, Friday.
According to the JPBN, 406 individuals from 124 families have been evacuated to five Temporary Evacuation Centres (PPS) in Kota Marudu and Pitas.
JPBN is also monitoring the situation in Sandakan and Paitan.
The Chief Minister advised residents in low-lying and high-risk areas to remain vigilant and prioritise safety, following the adverse weather warnings issued by the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia).
In Kota Marudu, 290 people from 90 families are now housed at the Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Tandek 2 PPS, up from 274 people from 83 families at midday.
“Pitas has also seen an increase, with 116 people from 34 families taking refuge at two PPS this afternoon, compared with 62 people from 28 families at midday.
At the Sekolah Kebangsaan Rukom PPS, 78 people from 24 families are being sheltered, while 38 people from 10 families are at the Dewan Majlis Daerah.
The districts of Kota Marudu, Pitas, and Paitan were declared flooded at 6am Friday following continuous rainfall since Thursday.
In SANDAKAN, continuous heavy rain since Thursday night caused flooding, fallen trees, and waterlogged roads in several areas.
The Sandakan branches of the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) and Fire and Rescue Department carried out monitoring and emergency response at affected locations.
Fallen trees were reported at SK St. Monica, Bandar Sandakan, Taman Mutiara, and Batu Sapi.
Severe flooding affected Kampung Pangiran, Taman Fajar, Kampung Obar, Taman Merpati, Taman Bahagia, Batu 8, Batu 9, and Batu 12 near the Duchess of Kent Hospital.
Flooded roads included Jalan Batu 7, Taman Nuri, Taman Fajar Lama, Jalan Mahkamah, Jalan Batu 8, Jalan Batu 9, Petronas Batu 6 area, and Jalan Perhutanan.
Authorities relocated residents trapped in their homes to safe locations. Flash floods were also reported in parts of Telupid and Paitan districts.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department warned of thunderstorms and continuous rainfall in Sandakan from February 20 to 23.
In PAITAN, the district was declared a flood disaster following rising water levels that affected several hotspot areas since early Friday.
Paitan District Officer Joloning Joe Majambu said the disaster status came into effect at 6am to enable emergency action and the immediate deployment of aid to affected residents.
He added that close monitoring is underway in high-risk areas, while relevant agencies are on standby to coordinate evacuations and relief efforts should the flooding worsen.
Meanwhile, netizens have shared videos and photos of the current situation in Paitan, including in Pekan Paitan.
Footage shows the area around the fishermen’s market in Paitan Sub-District already inundated. More than eight resident vehicles were submerged, with locals seen navigating the floodwaters by boat.
In KUNAK, water levels in rivers near Kg Sungai Langgas and Kg Sungai Atas remain at moderate levels and have shown no significant rise, despite continuous rainfall since Thursday. However, residents living close to the rivers are advised to remain vigilant.
District Officer Majaran Osman, when contacted, said that no flood incidents have been reported in any villages or residential areas in the district so far.
“Still, residents living near rivers must take precautionary measures especially during the rainy season,” he said.
A Daily Express survey of the Kg Sungai Langgas area found river levels remain low with no noticeable increase. The area has previously experienced floods that caused water to enter nearby homes.
The Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS) has installed an Early Flood Warning Siren Station at Kg Sungai Langgas to automatically detect rising water levels.
The system is equipped with acoustic loudspeakers and uses real-time telemetry monitoring to detect river levels in high-risk areas. It provides warning signals – orange for alert and red for danger – to nearby residents.
