KOTA KINABALU – The recent flash floods in Penampang, described by many as the “worst flood in decades”, took residents by surprise due to the speed of the event, leaving many unprepared and stranded.
Locals reported that within a few hours, water levels rose so rapidly that the seriousness of the flood was underestimated, leading to destroyed homes and people climbing onto their roofs awaiting rescue.
As of 1pm today, the number of evacuees in Penampang has increased from just three last night to 165 people from 67 families, who are now being relocated to the Penampang Cultural Hall.
Residents shared photos of the aftermath on Facebook, claiming it was the worst flood they had encountered since 1999.
One of them, Andrian Lasimbang, 47, president of Suara Anak Sabah and a lifelong resident of Kg Nampasan, Penampang, expressed shock at the major flash flood that struck his home yesterday.
Is it due to the Pan Borneo Highway construction?
Lasimbang, who is also a former senator, believes the disaster was caused by overdevelopment, a lack of physical planning, and the construction of the Pan Borneo Highway and the Babagon Dam.
He urged the government to expedite the Penampang flood mitigation project, which has been ongoing for over 10 years without completion.
“The Penampang flood mitigation project has been ongoing for over 10 years, but it has yet to be completed.
“The government must expedite the project and penalise contractors who cannot deliver on time.
“Use the Land Acquisition Act to acquire land for widening the Donggongon-Sindaanan-Kodudungan canal.
“I understand that the project will affect many houses in villages, but the public should also consider their roles in this matter,” he told Scoop today.
Lasimbang added that the government’s priority should be to assist with the clean-up, including providing ro-ro bins in affected villages and deploying volunteers to clean public spaces and assist those in need.
He also stressed the importance of proper land zoning to retain floodplains, wetlands, and rice fields that can absorb run-off during heavy rain.
“Ensure better watershed protection in Upper Moyog and dredge the Moyog River where silt has accumulated, as the river is becoming narrower and shallower,” he said.
Expert opinions
Prof Rodeano Roslee, deputy dean of the Science and Natural Resources Faculty at Universiti Malaysia Sabah and former director of the Natural Disaster Research Centre, also attributed the Pan Borneo project as a key factor contributing to recent floods.
He cited topographic and geomorphological processes as additional factors.
“Penampang is located far from the coastal areas and is heavily developed. Rainwater cannot flow easily to the sea.
“The Penampang area has self-topographical conditions like a basin, which is why high-intensity rainfall can cause flooding.
“The high population density in Kota Kinabalu exacerbates the issue, making water flow to Penampang naturally,” he told Scoop.
Rodeano emphasised that the existing irrigation system in Penampang is insufficient to prevent flooding and suggested implementing good irrigation and an underground tunnel to avoid erosion.
He called for a thorough study to model the irrigation system and determine the frequency of major flash floods and flooded areas. – July 1, 2024