Over 5,000 affected as flooding persists in Northern Sabah

KOTA KINABALU (Feb 23): Flooding linked to ongoing wet weather conditions continues to affect several parts of Sabah, particularly in the northern districts, with more than 5,000 people recorded as affected as of Monday evening.

The Sabah State Disaster Management Committee reported that as at 8pm on Feb 23, a total of 2,032 heads of household, involving 5,067 people, had been affected statewide, mainly by floods. No fatalities have been recorded.

The situation is most pronounced in Pitas, a district frequently impacted during periods of prolonged rainfall due to its low lying terrain and river systems, where the number of evacuees remains the highest.

Neighbouring Paitan also continues to see communities affected, although conditions there are described as largely stable, while Tawau in the east coast has recorded a smaller number of flood victims.

Temporary relief centres (PPS) remain operational across affected districts, with evacuees housed in schools, community halls and other public facilities as authorities coordinate assistance.

Data trends over the past few days show a gradual increase in the number of affected residents, reflecting the evolving nature of flooding during Sabah’s rainy season, when heavy downpours can quickly inundate flood-prone villages and cut off rural access routes.

Officials said there have been no disaster-related deaths and no confirmed reports of residents stranded outside relief centres so far.

Disaster management agencies continue to monitor river levels and weather conditions closely, with response efforts coordinated through district disaster committees and state authorities.