Stay on high alert: Hajiji
Published on: Tuesday, July 02, 2024
Hajiji presenting assistance to the flood victims at the Penampang Cultural Centre on Monday.
PENAMPANG: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor instructed all local authorities throughout the State to be on high alert in view of the rainy season.
“Make sure all the drains are cleared up. Do not wait until it rains before taking action. We want to mitigate and must be prepared at all times,” he said in a statement after visiting flood victims at the Penampang Cultural Centre temporary shelter, here, Monday.
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The Chief Minister said the Sabah and Federal governments were very concerned about those affected by the latest flash floods and would assist all the victims.
“The Sabah Government sympathises with their plight, so we are prepared to give an emergency cash assistance of RM1,000 to each family sheltered at the Penampang Cultural Centre,” he said.
Hajiji added that the Federal Government through Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick, who is also Penampang Member of Parliament, would also be lending a hand.
At the same time, Hajiji said the State Government would also consider assisting those not evacuated to the temporary shelter but whose houses have been badly damaged by the floods.
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Earlier, District Officer Francis Chong briefed the Chief Minister that currently, there were 67 families involving 165 people seeking refuge at the temporary shelter since it was activated at 5.25pm on Sunday.
He was also briefed that 11 villages around the Penampang district were submerged due to the heavy downpour on Sunday.
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One life was lost involving a woman who was swept by strong currents near the roundabout in Donggongon during the flash flood.
Later, Hajiji accompanied by Ewon, State Secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong, Sabah Assistant Works Minister Datuk Limus Jury and Internal Affairs and Research Secretary Datuk Awang Shaminan Sahari checked on the flood situation at Kampung Tuavon and Hungab.
Meanwhile, two more temporary evacuation centres have been opened in Sabah due to flooding, following continuous rain which has hit several districts on the west coast of the State since Sunday.
The Sabah State Disaster Management Committee secretariat, in a statement, said as of 4pm, the number of relief centres operational in the State has increased to four.
These centres are currently accommodating 328 evacuees from 105 families.
A relief centre has been established at Kampung Tutu Selupoh Community Hall in Tuaran, accommodating 29 individuals from eight families.
Additionally, another relief centre at Kampung Bontoi Community Hall in Tamparuli is sheltering 18 people from five families.
“The rain which occurred in Tuaran since yesterday (June 30) has caused several surrounding areas to be flooded, and residents have been evacuated to two relief centres.
“However, due to the increase in the water level, the District Disaster Management Committee decided to open two more relief centres,” read the statement.
Meanwhile, the number of evacuees in Penampang has increased to 165 people from 67 families, who are being accommodated at the Penampang Cultural Hall, compared with 112 people from 40 families, reported Monday morning.
In Putatan, a total of 116 people from 25 families are currently taking shelter at Dewan Sri Putatan, a significant increase, compared with only two people, from two families, recorded Monday morning.
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