Flood response instensifies across Sabah as over 3,000 affected

KOTA KINABALU (Feb 22): Authorities across Sabah have stepped up flood response operations, with multiple agencies working round the clock to evacuate residents, assist stranded students and monitor rising water levels in several districts.

In Pitas, the District Disaster Operations Control Centre (PKTK) coordinated efforts to evacuate students stranded by floodwaters so they could attend Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia (STPM) examinations.

A total of 65 students from SMK Pitas and SMK Pitas 2 were affected.

Rescue operations were conducted across five locations — Paitan, Pinapak, Kanibongan, Pandan Mendamai, and Kusilat — involving the police, Civil Defence Force (APM), Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), the Malaysian Armed Forces, and Volunteers Corps Department (Rela).

In neighbouring Paitan, APM personnel assisted nine STPM candidates yesterday, transporting them safely from flood-hit areas to continue their journey to SMK Salaping in Kota Marudu after rising waters cut off access routes.

Statewide data from the State Disaster Command Centre (SDCC) showed that as of 4pm on Feb 22, a total of 1,417 households involving 3,316 people were affected by floods across several districts, including Pitas, Paitan and Tawau.

No disaster-related fatalities have been reported.

In Tawau, the District Disaster Management Committee (JPBD) declared a flood disaster on Feb 21 at 11.30pm following reports of worsening conditions.

Heavy rainfall lasting several hours prompted monitoring of flood-prone areas such as Kampung Tanjung Batu, Taman Setia, Jalan Sin Onn, Taman Villa and Batu 9, where water levels reached precautionary stages in some locations.

APM teams evacuated residents in Tanjung Batu, while a temporary relief centre (PPS) was opened at the Tawau Sports Complex Multipurpose Hall, accommodating 245 evacuees from 55 households.

JBPM personnel also carried out evacuation operations at Kampung Tanjung Batu Keramat, relocating 16 adults and eight children to a PPS as floodwaters gradually receded.

Meanwhile, the Kota Marudu JPBD announced the termination of flood disaster status on Feb 22 after conditions improved, relief centres were closed and residents were allowed to return home.

Authorities said monitoring and post-disaster assessments would continue to ensure public safety, with agencies remaining on standby as weather conditions evolve.