BELURAN: The first death in the floods that hit interior Sabah since New Year's eve has been reported in Beluran while another man has been reported missing also in the district.
Initially, Beluran police received two missing-person reports related to flash floods caused by torrential rain in the past three days.
District chief police Superintendent Kasim Muda said both cases were reported on Dec 31 at two separate places.
"The first missing victim, identified as Rajis Nawang,28, was reported missing by his father while trawling in Kuala Penubukan.
"Meanwhile, the second victim identified as Kaerul, 26, an estate worker, was reported missing while trying to cross a road off Kampung Kinadaan," he told reporters.
During the incident, the water level had risen five feet on the said road when Kaerul was swept away by strong currents before his employer realised he was missing.
A search-and-rescue (SAR) operation was immediately launched in both places by police, Fire and Rescue Department and Civil Defence Force.
The first victim was found around 12.30 noon on Jan 1 in a mangrove area which is some 1.5 kilometer away from where he was last seen.
The SAR operation for the second victim is still ongoing around Kampung Kinadaan also known as Kampung Matanggal.
Residents at the flooded areas were reminded to contact the authorities and take precautions.
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