Penampang floods force 118 victims into four relief centres

KOTA KINABALU: Authorities evacuated 118 flood victims from 41 families to four temporary relief centres in Penampang this morning after heavy overnight rain caused flooding.

Penampang District Disaster Management Committee chairman Noemi Dyena John Tren officially declared the flooding a disaster at 10.40pm yesterday (Oct 1), based on reports and information from agencies on the ground.

The Sabah State Disaster Management Committee said in a statement today that the Penampang Sports Complex temporary relief centre is sheltering the most victims, with 40 people from seven families, while the Huguan Siou Hall centre is housing 31 victims from 11 families.

The other two temporary relief centres are Penampang Parish Hall, which is sheltering 29 victims from 16 families, and St Paul Kolopis, which is accommodating 18 victims from seven families.

"The water level of Sungai Moyog is currently at a critical 9.12 metres, exceeding the danger level," the statement read.

The flooding affected 15 villages, including Kampung Penampang Proper, Kampung Kolopis, Kampung Sarapung, Kampung Dabak, Kampung Tanaki, Kampung Pagansakan, Kampung Nambazan, Kampung Huba and Kampung Kibabaig.

The affected areas also include Kampung Limbanak, Kampung Penampang Kondis, Kampung Sugud, Kampung Pinapah, Vista Kiranau and Kampung Kambau.

Twelve roads are affected but remain passable, including Jalan Tanaki-Bandason, Jalan Vista Kiranau, Jalan Inobong, Jalan Kampung Putaton, Pagansakan Bridge, Jalan Sarapung, Jalan Kolopis-Boliga and Jalan Bantazon-Kolopis.

The other affected roads are Jalan Bontozon-Kampung Sarapung, Jalan Huba-Nambazan, Jalan Panglima Banting and Jalan Kasigui.

Local authorities and security agencies continue to provide updates and closely monitor the affected areas to ensure residents' safety.