SANDAKAN – The Buli Sim-Sim road heading towards Sandakan town has been closed due after a downpour at 5am today caused a landslide and a tree to fall today.
No casualties were reported in the incident.
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Sandakan complaints bureau chief Robert Chong said the incident was expected as the Sandakan Municipal Council (SMC) had failed to trim trees along the coastal road.
“We all saw this coming. SMC has a natural disaster committee, but it has never taken action to avoid landslides and fallen trees whenever it rains.
“This matter is about the safety of the people. We are only lucky that there were no casualties this time. They must act on it now and not wait until someone is hurt.”
As of 3.20pm today, the affected road is still closed. Police here have advised road users to take an alternative road – Jalan Aman – when leaving town.
Meanwhile, Sandakan's Civil Defence Force reported several flash floods in the district today, including at Mile 7 and SK Sg Anib.
However, the floods are subsiding and no evacuation centres have been opened. – The Vibes, January 11, 2021