KOTA KINABALU – Several areas in Penampang have been struck by flash floods following continuous heavy rain since noon today.
Facebook users have been sharing pictures and videos of affected areas, which are low-lying areas of Penampang, including Moyog, Sugud, Kolopis, Kasigui, Siga Roundabout, Maang, and Koimadang.
At the same time, videos of vehicles at the parking lot in Taman Vista Seri Kinarau, Penampang, washed away by the floods have also been circulated on Facebook at about 5pm today.
Meanwhile, the Sabah Civil Defence Department said in a statement that the temporary relief centre at the Penampang Cultural Hall was activated at 5.25pm due to rising water levels in several residential areas.
However, so far, only one family of three has been relocated to the centre.
The Penampang District Disaster Management Committee declared a state of disaster at 7.25pm today following the development.
At 9.32pm, the Sabah Fire and Rescue Department’s operation room (Sabah PGO) said 12 people from Kg Mansiang, Manggatal, and 8 people from Kg Rampayan, Inanam, had been relocated to their relatives’ houses.
According to the Sabah PGO, rescue operations are still ongoing in Penampang and Tuaran, but most are being delayed due to disconnected roads caused by the flooding.
In a statement earlier today, the Sabah Public Works Department announced the closure of several roads, including the Kota Kinabalu-Keningau-Tenom road, Jalan Limbanak, and Jalan Pukakon-Pomotodon in Penampang, due to flooding.
The police have also advised the public to plan their journeys accordingly, using routes that are not affected by the flood.
Police have been dispatched to assist with traffic flow and divert vehicles heading into flooded and landslide-prone areas.
So far, there have been no reports of casualties from the floods. – June 30, 2024