SANDAKAN: The Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) activated emergency protocols across several districts in Sabah following flash floods triggered by heavy rainfall. Friday’s operations were focused on evacuating residents from high-risk zones and monitoring vulnerable areas.
According to Sandakan APM officer Kapten (PA) Sulaiman Salama, evacuation operations were promptly carried out in Kampung Garinono and Kampung Pertanian Batu 25, Sandakan after a rapid rise in water level.
“Several homes were affected, requiring immediate action to ensure residents’ safety. A joint operations team was deployed to the area,” he stated.
Twenty-four families from Kampung Pertanian were being relocated to the Temporary Relief Centre at SK Pertanian.
Monitoring by the APM Sandakan Zone found water levels were receding in several other locations, including Kampung Memanjang, where teams would conduct damage assessments and safety checks.
In Kampung Jaya Bakti, Beluran, 30 houses were affected, with six fully submerged, no evacuations were carried out and road conditions remain passable, despite knee-deep flooding.
Water levels were receding, and residents chose not to relocate at this time.
APM emphasised that continuous monitoring was maintained in all affected areas. All teams remained on high alert, prepared to deploy assets and personnel should conditions worsen.
Residents in at-risk areas are urged to remain vigilant, follow instructions from authorities, and contact the 999 emergency line if assistance is required. – James Leong
APM personnel inspect the flood situation at Kampung Jaya Bakti, Beluran on Friday.
