Kota Kinabalu: Flash floods on Sunday afternoon took many West Coast residents by surprise as water levels rose rapidly, bringing back memories as the waters began reaching the shops in Donggongon by 8pm and leaving both victims and vehicles stranded.
There have been landslides, power outages, uprooted trees, fallen branches, and vehicles being swept away by strong currents.
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The Civil Defence Force evacuated a family to the Penampang Cultural Centre which was activated as a temporary flood relief centre at 5.25pm.
State Fire and Rescue Department in a statement said rescue operations are ongoing in Penampang and Tuaran areas.
In Manggatal, 12 people were relocated to their families’ homes in Kg Mangsiang. In Inanam, eight people were relocated to their families’ homes in Kg Rampayan Laut.
Many areas have been cut off from road network, although the situation is gradually improving.
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The Department recorded 86 flood related calls as of 8.50pm involving areas in Tuaran, Inanam, Manggatal and Penampang. Some 55 personnel from Tuaran, Kota Kinabalu, Lintas and Penampang were deployed.
Among areas impacted were Tuaran: Jalan Kiulu, Kg Baru Selaut and Kg Regangan Lama; Inanam/Manggatal: Kg Kokol, Kg Kionsom Baru, Ulu Kionsom, Rampaian Laut, Kg Dambai, Kg Pemotodon; Penampang: Kg Inopok, Kolopis, Limbanak, Kg Tuavon, Penampang Proper, Sugud, Timpoluon, Kituau, Pagansakan, Kibatu,Kasigui, Nampasan, Inobong, Sunon, Moyog, Kimoligam, Mambagon, Kg Gong Dabak, Kg Agut Jubili, Kg Peropok, Dongkahang, Kambau.
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The swift rise in water levels prompted a wave of social media activity, with many alerting about the situation or seeking help to rescue family members.
One Facebook user appealed for assistance for her mother who was trapped in her home in Kg Pangasakan in Penampang.
As the water levels continued to rise, a video footage believed to be near Kiranau in Penampang showed footages of a family using an inflatable pool to carry their young to safer ground.
The heavy rain, which began at about noon resulted in chaos in low-lying areas across the West Coast.
Among landslides include Jalan Kota Kinabalu – Keningau – Tenom near Kampung Timpoluon, which occurred at 3.50pm, spanning 40 meters and rendered the road inaccessible to all vehicles as at press time.
In Kiulu, two high voltage line poles along Jalan Bingaliu Lokub were impacted by another landslide, while in Penampang, several electrical feeders had to be shut down due to the flooding with electrical sparks spotted at some flooded villages.
The Meteorology Department had earlier issued warnings of thunderstorms, heavy rain, and strong winds in the interior, West Coast, Sabah (Beluran), and Kudat.
Their warnings highlighted the likelihood of thunderstorms with rainfall intensity exceeding 20 mm/hour, expected to persist for more than an hour.
In TUARAN, dozens of vehicle have been stranded along Jalan Kiulu-Tamparuli. A landslide in the Bayaon tributary area caused the roadway to be flooded with mud.
Soil erosion followed by fallen trees near Kg Bungaliu and Kg Logub also caused alternative routes to be cut off towards Tamparuli Town or Kiulu Town.
It is understood that the road leading to Kota Kinabalu near Kg Tampulan is also flooded at press time.
Electricity supply to several villages in Kiuli was also cut off in addition to experiencing interference with cellphone coverage.
Agencies and related parties are reported to be on their way to the involved locations to carry out repair work and commence road closures.
In SIPITANG, flash floods affected several parts of town following constant rain since early Sunday.
A resident, Daud, said the flooding began at noon with many smaller vehicles and motorcycles stranded as they did not dare go through the high waters.
“Much of this was caused by clogged drains,” he said, adding they have not been maintained properly even though work has been put in by the District Council.
“Otherwise there would be no flooding,” he said. Another resident said he wanted to know what excuses the District Council would come up with this time.
“If they are sure that the ditches have been cleared, why are there still floods? I hope the concerned parties will find a solution for residents and traders.
“It is impossible because although the town faces the sea where water is supposed to be easily redirected, a poor drainage system makes us an easy target for flash floods.
“We have complained countless times. It’s the same scenario, traders have to scramble to move their goods to a higher place to avoid water damage,” he said.
He said many more traders in the future will be affected, especially restaurants and food and drink stalls.
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