KOTA KINABALU – Flash floods here and in Penampang following a downpour have killed two people and destroyed properties in its wake.
Five flood victims have been placed at the Penampang sports complex clubhouse, which was activated as a relief centre this afternoon.
Heavy rain that began about 1pm also saw a landslide at Segumau Madsiang along the Penampang-Tambunan road, with cars pushed towards houses at a slope.
The two victims died in the landslide, and are identified as Salmaah Hamid, 25, and 5-year-old Rosatima Asbirin, the Fire and Rescue Department reported.
Firemen managed to rescue 1-year-old Juliana Zulazmil, 8-month-old Dayana Zulazmil, 3-year-old Norsirah Asbirin and 22-year-old RIsdah Jabin at the landslide area.
The Penampang-Bundusan road was also inundated, causing several vehicles to be stranded while people waded with difficulty through the floodwaters.
A house in Soguamau in Madsiang, Penampang, was buried following a landslide, while videos of vehicles being swept away by strong floodwaters during the thunderstorm has gone viral.
Many said the rainfall was far worse than the one that struck many parts of Sabah’s west coast on September 3. The incident also claimed two lives.
Penampang MP Datuk Darell Leiking said that the state government should have taken action to mitigate the flooding situation when the incident occurred earlier this month.
“The government should do as much mitigating action as possible since this has become an annual occasion,” Leiking said, calling for the federal government to expedite flood mitigation projects.
He said that 40 projects worth some RM4.9 billion will be implemented to resolve floods, drainage and sewerage problems in Sabah. – The Vibes, September 15, 2021
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