Ranau residents told to brace for more rain, landslides

RANAU: Wet weather is expected to continue in the district until early next week, and residents have been advised to stay alert.

Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) director-general Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip said the country was currently in the inter-monsoon phase, characterised by light winds from various directions and high humidity.

Such conditions were conducive to the formation of active rain clouds, including over Sabah.

"Ranau experienced rain from midday until the evening throughout this week, with similarly wet conditions expected to persist until early next week.

"Observations from two meteorological stations in Ranau showed that heavy rain occurred between Oct 18 and 20, with accumulated rainfall ranging from 20mm to 75mm over several hours," he told the New Straits Times following recent landslides that caused a car and part of a homestay building to collapse in Kampung Gorowot, Kundasang.

Meanwhile, Ranau district officer Tinus Manggam said residents and homestay operators had been advised to prepare for evacuation as authorities monitored the risk of further damage and potential collapse.

"Evacuation is not mandatory at this stage. A mandatory order will be issued only when the situation reaches a critical level," he said when contacted.

He added that about 40 houses in the Kampung Gorowot area were affected by a road collapse, with eight homes identified as being at high risk.

The eight buildings were constructed over a natural watercourse fitted with a culvert that had become clogged, causing water to accumulate in a pond uphill near Doka View homestay.

Draining the pond was the immediate priority to prevent the accumulated water from triggering a more serious disaster affecting nearby homes, he said.

"However, repair work on the damaged road had yet to begin because of persistent afternoon rain."