Floods: Number Of Victims Evacuated In Sabah On The Rise

KOTA KINABALU, Sept 12 (Bernama) -- The number of flood victims in Sabah rose significantly to 409 people from 110 families this morning, compared to 154 people from 54 families last night.

The State Disaster Management Committee  (SDMC) said in a statement that 255 people from 56 families were evacuated in Penampang, while 154 people from 54 families were moved out in Beaufort.

In Penampang, the temporary relief centre of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Datuk Peter Mojuntin is housing 99 students; Penampang Sports Complex (95 people/44 families); Huguan Siau Hall (34 people/7 families); and Sekolah Kebangsaan St Paul Kolopis (27 people/5 families).

Meanwhile, all flood victims in Beaufort have been placed at the Selagon permanent relief centre.

"A total of 22 villages are affected by floods, with 14 in Penampang and eight in Beaufort,” it added.

The Sabah Fire and Rescue Department, meanwhile, said that search and rescue efforts are still ongoing for the 97-year-old man buried in a landslide in Kampung Sarapung, Penampang, last night.

"The team faced difficulties getting to the scene of the incident because the route was blocked due to the flood and landslide. The team had to trek three kilometres on foot to reach the scene,” it said in a separate statement.

The search and rescue operation is being jointly carried out with the police and other agencies, as well as with the assistance of villagers.

-- BERNAMA