SANDAKAN: Continuous heavy rain since the early hours of Friday morning has caused several areas in the district to be hit by floods, fallen trees, and rising water on roads. Various rescue agencies have been deployed to assist affected victims.
The Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) reported that flood evacuation operations are actively being carried out in several locations. Among the areas affected are Kampung Batu 10 and Kampung Sungai Batang, involving three houses and a total of 12 victims.
Meanwhile, seven victims from a house in Ladang Sandak, Batu 10, were also evacuated. All victims were moved to safer ground and are taking shelter with family members.
Earlier, a house in Taman Pohing, Block 1 was also affected when water entered the residence around 2.00 a.m. An APM team responded to the location, pumping out water using water pump equipment to ease the burden on the victims.
Meanwhile, the Sabah State Fire and Rescue Department also received emergency calls related to the floods. In one incident at Lot 56, Level 1, Batu 12, eight victims, including an elderly woman and four children, were reported trapped. Firemen from the Sandakan Fire and Rescue Station were deployed to evacuate all of them using a rescue boat to the homes of family members located in unaffected areas.
Separately, another call was received at 4.52 a.m. regarding a flood incident at Taman Merpati Batu 7. Upon arrival at the scene, the fire team found the water level in the area to be under control and no evacuation was necessary. Residents were merely advised to remain vigilant and be prepared to evacuate early if the water level continues to rise.
In addition to the floods, the heavy rain also caused several incidents of fallen trees. APM Sandakan reported that fallen trees at SK St. Monica Sandakan town, Taman Mutiara and Giatmara Batu Sapi were cleared.
Several major roads were also flooded, affecting traffic, including Jalan Batu 7, Taman Nuri, Taman Fajar Lama, Jalan Mahkamah, Mile 6, Mile 8 and Mile 9 Jalan Labuk.
The public is advised to remain vigilant and comply with instructions from the authorities from time to time. – James Leong
Sandakan Firemen evacuate two flood victims on Friday.
