Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says all federal and state agencies are deployed for evacuation, rescue and aid as flood victims rise to 3,685.
KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has called for prayers for flood victims in Sabah as Muslims begin Ramadan.
He said the flood situation has affected homes, safety and daily lives across the state.
All federal and state government agencies have been mobilised to ensure evacuation, rescue and aid distribution operations are carried out quickly and effectively.
“Our priority is the safety of the people, the welfare of the victims and the recovery of the affected areas as soon as possible,” he said in a Facebook post.
He urged everyone in affected areas to remain vigilant and obey instructions from the authorities.
The number of flood victims in Sabah increased to 3,685 people from 1,593 families as of 8 am today.
This is a sharp rise from 406 people from 124 families reported yesterday evening.
The Sabah State Disaster Management Secretariat stated that 18 temporary evacuation centres are now operating in three affected districts.
The centres are located in Kota Marudu, Pitas and Paitan.
A total of 47 villages have been affected, with 30 in Pitas, 12 in Kota Marudu and five in Paitan.
Floods hit the three districts following continuous rain over the past few days.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department predicts several areas in the interior of Sabah will experience morning rain.
Thunderstorms are also likely to occur in the afternoon and evening.
