Telupid Residents Describe Flooding As Devastating With Rapid Water Rise

TELUPID, Jan 31 (Bernama) -- Residents have described the flooding, which inundated their six villages in Mukim Nangoh, as overwhelming, with floodwaters rising rapidly despite the rainfall not being particularly heavy.

The swift onset of the flood left many with little time to save their belongings, prompting urgent evacuations to temporary evacuation centres (PPS).

Kampung Ganah Jati Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) chairman, Rudi Addy, 39, called this year’s flood situation 'devastating,' noting that the water rose so quickly that 85 per cent of the houses in the village were submerged.

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“Residents' livelihoods have been severely impacted, as they could not harvest palm oil due to the floods. We're not a wealthy community, and once the floodwaters recede, it will be a struggle to recover,” he said when met by Bernama.

The Sabah Disaster Management Committee Secretariat reported that the number of flood victims had risen to 5,617 individuals, from 1,899 families, by 8 am this morning, with 39 PPS open. In Telupid alone, 413 victims, from 110 families, were evacuated to five PPS.

Meanwhile, Silvester Amat, 40, officer in charge of Mukim Nangoh, described this year's flooding as far worse than the major floods of 2022, with even more residents affected.

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“I have alerted the Disaster Operations Control Centre (PKOB) and relevant agencies, to provide assistance for the residents of the affected villages,” he said.

“Mukim Nangoh has 11 villages, and six of them are severely impacted due to their location in low-lying areas. We urgently request immediate help," he added.

Kampung Ganah Jati resident Aninah Abdullah, 73, was in tears as she recounted the devastating flood which damaged and submerged household items, including her refrigerator and washing machine.

Living with her two grandchildren, Aninah also lost goods for her small sundry shop, such as instant noodles, crackers, and sales shelves, all washed away by the floodwaters.

“Please help us; I don't know where to go to, as my house is in terrible condition. The plywood floor is unstable, and I fear it’s unsafe to live in,” she said.

“I also lost my small income from selling goods, which were all washed away. I hope the government will assist. Yes, I have children but their homes were also flooded. They, too, have their own responsibilities,” she said.

-- BERNAMA