RANAU: Rescue efforts are continuing into the night for a man trapped on an island in the middle of a river which swelled following heavy rain, here.
Ranau Police Chief DSP Simiun Lomudin said about 30 rescuers including himself from various agencies were at the scene trying to rescue the man trapped in Sungai Mokodou in Kg Takutan since the afternoon.
He confirmed the Daily Express' earlier report that the man, who he said was shaking with fear and from the night's cold wind, was trapped on an island in the middle of the river.
"Operation still ongoing. Weather, darkness and the cold are the main challenges," Simiun texted Daily Express from the scene.
Karanaan assemblyman Datuk Masidi Manjun announced the man's plight on Twitter earlier today.
He said policemen had been trying to rescue the victim to no avail as the current was too strong.
"We pray they're safe," said the Housing and Local Government Minister.
Floods have been hitting parts of Sabah's north, interior, and east coast since New Year's eve.
Daily Express today reported a man in Beluran as the first death in the floods.
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