BEAUFORT: Five districts – Beaufort, Membakut, Sipitang, Tenom and Tambunan – have been declared disaster areas following reports from agencies under the District Disaster Management Committee (JPBD).
In Beaufort, the flood is the second occurrence this month, attributed to continuous rainfall from Keningau and Tenom which led to rising water levels and the opening of the Pangi Hydro dam gates following persistent rain since Sunday.
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The water level of Sungai Padas rose to 9.68 metres, exceeding the danger level of 8.70 metres.
Some 45 villages were affected, including several in the Klias and Lumadan state constituencies.
Beaufort Fire and Rescue Station chief Ishak Jabas said all logistics, including rescue boats and utility lorries, were deployed to assist flood victims in affected villages.
The station received an emergency call at 10.15am from victims in Kg Suasa requesting evacuation assistance, located about 30km from the station.
A total of 87 heads of household involving 275 victims were recorded, comprising 45 adult men, 98 adult women, 43 boys, 77 girls, one male infant, 11 female infants, 11 elderly men, 15 elderly women, five male persons with disabilities and two female persons with disabilities.
Security agencies assisting include the Police, Civil Defence Force, Social Welfare Department and Health Department.
Rail services between Beaufort and Sembulan were cancelled due to flooding at KM89/800 in Beaufort, a spokesman said, advising passengers to seek alternative transport arrangements.
In Sipitang, Abd Karim said Sungai Kg Paru Siku or Sungai Mengalong recorded a reading of 15.087 metres, exceeding the danger level of 12 metres, while Sungai Melalia or Sungai Lukutan remained at the alert level of 10.499 metres. Flooding was also reported in Long Pasia, Long Mio, Iburuh, Nareh Rayeh, Abpa Kemadang and Batu Nuduk.
Jambatan Meligan was impassable to all vehicles, leaving many civil servants and traders stranded.
Victims evacuated in Sipitang were from Kampung Kawang Baru, Kampung Sri Menanti, Kampung Skim Kawang Baru, Kawang Lama, Kampung Sindumin Baru, Kampung Luagan, Kampung Petarikan and Kg Sindumin. Four temporary relief centres (PPS) were opened, including Dewan Mesapol and SK Padang Berempah, accommodating 38 heads of household.
At Dewan Mesapol, those sheltered include seven adult men, 20 adult women, 25 boys, 17 girls, one male infant, one female infant, three elderly men, six elderly women and one person with disabilities.
At SK Padang Berempah, evacuees comprise eight adult men, nine adult women, five boys, five girls, two female infants, three elderly men, two elderly women and one male person with disabilities.
In Membakut, Kimanis Fire and Rescue Station chief Nelson Ponji said residents from Kampung Baitam, Kampung Baru and Kampung Kayai were evacuated.
An estimated 88 heads of household involving 233 victims were relocated to the temporary relief centre at Dewan Kesenian Membakut, comprising 63 adult men, 75 adult women, 53 boys, 40 girls and two male infants.
Beaufort district police chief Supt Wong Leong Meng advised flood victims to prioritise personal safety and avoid activities in deep or hazardous waters.
He urged the public to inform rescue authorities led by the police, Fire and Rescue Department and Civil Defence Force if assistance is required.
The Beaufort police hotline 087-211222 is available for emergencies and evacuation assistance.
In Tambunan, several villages were affected by floods since Sunday causing damage to infrastructure, property and basic facilities.
In Kampung Piasau, strong currents swept away paddy field fences and caused soil erosion to farmland and private land.
Farming equipment and household items were damaged, while three vehicles were also affected. The drainage system was found clogged with logs and debris carried by the river.
In Kampung Dabata, a near-collapse of the irrigation system caused water to overflow into residential areas. Villagers expressed concern that if repairs are not carried out quickly, the situation could worsen if heavy rain continues.
In Kampung Tikolod, damage to a gravity water pipe disrupted clean water supply to villagers. Several immediate measures, including river maintenance works, culvert repairs and the delivery of clean water supply to affected areas, were implemented.
“A detailed assessment is being carried out by the relevant agencies to determine the extent of damage and to ensure recovery works can be implemented as soon as possible,” said District Officer, Azri Zaini.
“We understand the hardship faced by residents due to this disaster. A full report will be submitted to the relevant authorities so that assistance and allocations can be channelled immediately,” said Community Development leader Jinus Tagua.
A village representative, Silip Pawan, 76, expressed hope that assistance and funding would be provided quickly to help residents repair the damage and resume their daily lives.
In Tenom, A total of 22 villages here were hit by floods, Wednesday following unstable weather and continuous heavy rain since Tuesday.
The Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) Tenom said the affected villages are Kampung Enubai, Maugus Pantongon Saga, Mandalom Lama, Pantongan Sapong, Ponontomon, Tumantalik, Paal Seberang, Saga Laut, Batu-Batu, Kuala Tomani, Kemabong Lama, Sugiang Lama, Gumisi, Belumbung, Pamaluyan, Akar Hidup, Pulongan Sapong, Batu 8, Bangkulin Lama, Kalasasan and Batu 14.
Tenom became the fifth district to be declared a flood disaster area after the Sungai Padas overflowed, affecting the villages. District Officer Alexander Liew declared the flood disaster at 9am, followed by evacuation operations for affected residents.
APM Tenom reported that 22 routes in the affected areas, including in Kemabong, are currently impassable to all types of vehicles.
So far, 11 temporary evacuation centres (PPS) have been opened. These are Dewan Ontoros Kemabong, SK Saga Laut, Rumah Kebudayaan (RK) Gumisi Laut, Dewan Terbuka Kampung Maugus, RK Mandalom Lama, RK Pantongan Saga, RK Ponontomon, RK Skim Kuala Tomani, RK Bangkulin Lama, Gereja Lalandang and Dewan Humana Desa Sapong.
Three main roads are also closed to all vehicles — Jalan Sapong–Kemabong, Jalan Labut Enubai, Jalan Tenom–Ponontomon and Jalan Sapong–Tenom.
Five schools were also affected: SK Sapong, SK Gumisi, SK Kemabong, SK Kuala Tomani and SK Enubai.
