Continued flooding anticipated due to incessant rainfall

30 January 2025

By AVV

KOTA KINABALU: Residents of Kg Ongkilan in Kota Marudu remain vigilant as the rain continues to fall today.

Local resident Nabor Pensin shared that the rainfall began on the evening of January 28, Chinese New Year Eve, and swiftly escalated into severe flooding by January 29. At that point, the water had risen to the stilts of many houses, transforming the once-tranquil roads of Kota Marudu into raging rivers.

The situation was also dire in the nearby area of Timbang Batu, where homes were also inundated with water, where his daughter lives. According to Pensin, this has been the worst flooding the community has experienced in years, surpassing previous incidents where rain led to minor floods but never to the extent of navigating waters reaching the homes.

With the unrelenting rain and rising water levels, the sense of urgency and anxiety among residents is palpable as they brace for the continuing deluge and its potential impacts on their livelihoods and safety.

Meanwhile, the Social Welfare Department's (JKM) Infobencana website reports showed an increase of flood victims in the affected areas.

According to the latest updates, in Kota Marudu, a total of 2,360 individuals from 866 families have been affected by the floods, prompting the establishment of eight evacuation centres to provide essential care and support.

In neighbouring districts, the need for evacuation centres is equally pressing. In Kota Belud, three centres have been opened to accommodate 233 victims from 70 families, while in Pitas, two centres are operating with 196 individuals from 68 families.

Meanwhile, in Lahad Datu, three evacuation centres have been set up to support 302 displaced individuals from 77 families. In Beluran, three centres have been activated, providing refuge for 190 people from 55 families who have been forced from their homes.

Further afield, in Sandakan, a single evacuation centre has been activated, currently housing 118 individuals from 28 families affected by the flooding. One evacuation centre has been set up in Beaufort, supporting 102 victims from 29 families, while in Tongod, the situation remains concerning, with 54 people from 13 families impacted by the floods, sheltered in one evacuation centre.

In Paitan, two evacuation centres are providing critical assistance to 22 individuals from 11 families. Additionally, in the district of Telupid, four evacuation centres have been opened to support 201 victims from 48 families.

As of the updates today at 1.55pm, a total of 1,265 families, consisting of 3,778 individuals, have been adversely affected by the flooding across the region.

The scale and complexity of the flooding crisis underscore the need for a coordinated and effective response from emergency services, local authorities, and support agencies to ensure the timely delivery of aid and resources to those directly affected by these disasters.

The cumulative effects of the flooding across these regions underscore the urgent need for ongoing assistance and resources as local communities navigate this challenging situation. Emergency response teams are working diligently to ensure the safety and well-being of all affected residents during this crisis.