Kota Kinabalu: The flood situation in Sabah has worsened, with Pitas becoming the latest area to be hit by floods on Sunday, after Paitan and Beluran on New Year’s Day (Saturday).
Total evacuees in the State rose to 1,249 victims from 432 families Sunday evening compared to 1,161 from 399 at noon.
The Sabah Disaster Management Secretariat, in a statement, said one PPS was opened in Pitas, placing 36 victims from 10 families, while Kota Marudu remained the district with the highest number of evacuees with 1,019 from 376 families housed in seven PPS.
Three PPS have been opened in Telupid housing 43 victims from eight families and another two more in Paitan housing 52 victims from 13 families, it said.
The secretariat added that one PPS in Beluran was housing 38 evacuees from eight families and another in Sandakan had 61 victims and 17 families currently.
The secretariat also said 21 areas in Pitas were cut off and three other areas were affected, while Kota Marudu was the district with the most affected areas, at 30, followed by Paitan (23), Telupid (16) and one area each in Sandakan and Beluran.
Meanwhile, in Beluran, two deaths related to floods caused by torrential rain since three days ago were reported.
District Police Chief Supt Kasim Muda said one of the two people reported missing during the floods was found dead.
He said Rajis Nawang, 28, had gone to the river to put up nets at Kuala Penubukan, Paitan, prior to his disappearance.
He was reported missing not long afterwards when his father went to find him due to the heavy rains and rising water levels.
A search operation was then launched.
Later, another man was reported missing after he was seen swept away by strong river currents when trying to cross the Kg Kinadaan road at Kg Matanggal on Dec 31.
The 26-year-old victim, known only as Kaerul, was last seen wading through five-foot-deep water.
“His employer lodged a report about the matter,” Supt Kasim said.
The body of the first victim, Rajis, was discovered about 12.30pm on Saturday at a mangrove area some 1.5km from where he was last seen.
His body has been surrendered to the hospital for a post-mortem.
The second victim was still missing, Supt Kasim said.
He said search and rescue efforts are conducted by various agencies including the police, firemen and civil defence officials.
In Sandakan, District Police Chief Mohd Azhar Hamin warned residents along Sg Segaliud to stay alert as the water levels are at a dangerous level.
While Sg Memanjang has subsided, he asked the residents to move to the temporary relief centres at Nur Iman Kg Memanjang and Al Rahman Kg Segaliud mosques.
In Ranau, continuous rain resulted in flooding, soil erosion and damage to amenities and public properties, which threatened the safety of people.
On New Year’s Day (Saturday), a concrete bridge in Kg Lungkidau was damaged as soil erosion disconnected the bridge from the other side and damaged parts of the bridge in the middle.
Torrents of water also overflow to the areas along the Matupang River, resulting in flooding in oil palm plantations, as well as disconnecting roads leading to villages located in deeper areas.
Fortunately, a suspension bridge located near the damaged concrete bridge was still holding as the single communication route for villagers to reach the outside world.
A Sedco commercial area in Kg Matupang was also flooded as continuous rain caused water to flow from to the area from a hill behind.
Blockage of sewers and gutters in many areas also contributed to the rising water as the excess water was unable to flow away in time.
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