BEAUFORT: Continuous heavy rain over the past few days caused flooding in 28 villages here, forcing residents to be evacuated to relief centres.
Beaufort District Disaster Management Committee (JPBD) Chairman Mohd Nazri Ajun said the Selagon Permanent Relief Centre (PPK) was activated at 9am Tuesday.
“The evacuation of residents is being carried out with the cooperation of various security and rescue agencies,” he said, adding the Padas River was at a dangerous level and closely monitored.
He assured that JPBD will continue to monitor the situation and ensure basic aid reaches the affected residents.
As of 11am, the Padas River measured 9.64m compared with the danger level of 8.90m, according to the Drainage and Irrigation Department.
Civil Defence Force (APM) Chief Captain Hazlee Shah Abd Hamid said APM began monitoring since Sept 7 after weather alerts were issued and it has been receiving updates on river levels.
“Several roads were inundated, including Batu 60 Road and Kg Bakalau Road which are impassable, while roads in Kg Bingkul, Kg Gumarit, Kg Lago, Kg Suasa, Kg Kukup, Kg Bangkalalak and Kg Berumbai remain passable,” he said.
Two schools were also affected – SK Suasa and SK Lago.
Rescue teams from the Fire and Rescue Department, police and APM have been mobilised, with the Health Department, Welfare Department and Malaysian Volunteers Department (Rela) personnel assisting at relief centres.
Beaufort Fire and Rescue Chief Ishak Jabas said firefighters with boats and trucks were deployed to Kg Suasa to move flood victims.
“A total of 34 victims have been evacuated so far and the number is expected to increase,” he said.
He reminded the public to be cautious when wading through floodwaters as venomous animals such as snakes, centipedes, scorpions and even crocodiles may surface.