TAWAU: A total of 44 people were displaced following two separate flood incidents that struck different districts in eastern Sabah within a 24-hour period.
The first incident occurred on Friday when a flash flood hit Kampung Cocos and Kampung Tulungan in the Paitan district. According to the Sabah Fire and Rescue Operations Centre (JBPM), an emergency call was received at 9.16 am, prompting a team from the Beluran Fire Station to be despatched to the location, which is about 118 kilometres away.
The team, led by Operations Commander Arshad Kadir, arrived at the scene at 11.52 am and conducted the evacuation in collaboration with police and the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM).
A total of 20 residents who were trapped by the rising waters were relocated to two temporary relief centres. At the SMK Pamol relief centre, the evacuees included two men, three women, two girls, one elderly man, and two elderly women, totalling 10 individuals. At the Kampung Cocos JPKK hall, the evacuees comprised three men, five women, and two boys, also totalling 10 individuals.
The rescue operation concluded at 6.00 pm after authorities confirmed the situation was under control and that no other victims required assistance.
In the second incident, flooding was reported in Kampung Tanjung Batu Keramat, Tawau, on Saturday night. An emergency call was received at 9.54 pm, and a team from the Tawau fire station arrived at the scene, just eight kilometres away, by 10.02 pm.
Rescue personnel evacuated 24 people, comprising 16 adults and eight children, to the Kampung Tanjung Batu Keramat community hall. Authorities reported that water levels were receding and rainfall had ceased by the time the operation concluded at 12.04 am.
JBPM and other relevant agencies will continue to monitor the situation to ensure the safety of residents in the affected areas. – James Leong
Fire and Rescue personnel evacuate residents from flooded areas in Kampung Tanjung Batu Keramat, Tawau, on Saturday night.
