Flood situation in Tenom, Sipitang improves
KOTA KINABALU: Two flood relief centers in Tenom and Sipitang were closed yesterday afternoon, while several areas in Kota Kinabalu experienced flash floods in the evening.
Sabah Malaysia Civil Defence Force (MCDF) acting director, Colonel (PA) Mohd Izaimi Md Daud said both the Labut 2 community centre in Tenom and the Sipitang community centre were officially closed at 11am and 1pm respectively.
“Both the relief centres were closed after we received orders from the respective district officers.
“Flood victims were allowed to return to their homes after sunny weather at both districts,” he said yesterday.
Besides MCDF, other agencies were also involved in helping victims to return to their homes.
Among them were the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) and the Fire and Rescue Services Department.
Mohd Izaimi said the 181 flood victims from 55 families were from Kampung Mesapol Lama, Naluyan, Babangkong, Mesapol, Kelamauh and Lalang.
“Although the weather looks fine for the past days, we will continue to monitor the situation and will be ready if evacuation is needed,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said several areas in Kota Kinabalu were hit by flash floods following heavy rains around 4pm yesterday.
Among the affected areas were in Telipok, Manggatal, Inanam and Tuaran.
The Telipok/Tuaran road was also impassable to small vehicles as water level was reported at around 0.6 metres high.
The water level however started to subside by 6pm and no untoward incident was reported.
Tenom District Officer Madiyem Layapan said 276 flood victims from 80 families in Kampung Labut Dua and Kampung Ponontomon were allowed to go home early yesterday morning.
He said this was due to the good weather conditions and the Padas River water level subsided as compared to 176.75 metres on Monday.
“All the victims had been placed at the evacuation centre at Kampung Ponotomon cultural house and the open hall at Kampung Labut Dua on Monday,” he said this to reporters after monitoring the flood situation at both villages yesterday.
Madiyem, who is also chairman of the District Natural Disaster Committee, said the two evacuation centres were closed about 11am yesterday after all the victims were allowed to return home.
He added that during the floods, no casualties were reported.
Madiyem also advised villagers and the public around the district to move to a safer place if any signs of flood occurred and contact the authorities for further action. They should also bring with them important documents such as identity cards and birth certificates.
He said last Sunday continuous heavy rains caused flash floods and as of 3pm on Monday, the water level in Padas River was at 176.75 metres.
He said two evacuation centres in Kampung Labut Dua and Kampung Ponontomon were opened.
Seventy-eight villagers were evacuated to the Laut Dua evacuation centre and 198 were evacuated to the Ponontomon Cultural house evacuation centre.
He said basic food aid such as rice, sugar, cooking oil and beverages had been distributed to the fire victims at the two centres by the Welfare Services Department.
Madiyem said all relevant agencies and security forces including the Malaysian Defense Forces (APM), the Fire and Rescue Department and Police had been instructed to be prepared at all the times to ensure that prompt evacuation and assistance process could be mobilsed.