KOTA KINABALU – Penampang residents are fed up and weary of staying up at night to check on the water level outside their homes every time there is a prolonged downpour.
Ricky Slash, who lives in Kg Inobong in Donggongon, said his house was flooded twice last year, in June and October, and is now flooded again.
“I am sick of sleepless nights whenever it rains heavily. Now that I have a child, I would stay awake the whole night to see if the water enters my house, as I fear for the safety of my child.
“My house is not located on low ground, but it still gets flooded during heavy rain. Can the policymakers please find the cause and solve it? How is it that this problem could not be solved by all the governments?”
Kapayan assemblyman Jannie Lasimbang said she is aware of the flood issues faced by Penampang folk, and urged the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah government to improve the drainage system.
“The long-standing flood issue has been a part of my struggle for solutions here. The government must quickly find ways to get funds for flood-mitigation projects.
“The government should also seriously address unsustainable development projects that have caused muddy run-offs.”
She called on the state government to expedite assistance for flood victims.
Parti Bersatu Sabah’s Moyog division chief, John Chryso Masabal, said flooding is not a new problem in Penampang, but the situation has worsened of late.
“Even normal rain causes the water to rise, submerging the area near the lower stream here.”
Masabal echoed Lasimbang in urging for a flood-mitigation project to be implemented as soon as possible.
“The unpredictable weather in Sabah has caused floods to occur more frequently, especially in Penampang.
“Not only have the people’s daily activities been disrupted, but business operators are also forced to close up shop. Some face losses due to damage to their goods and outlets.”
As of 4pm yesterday, 38 people from nine families, from three villages in Penampang were moved to the flood evacuation centre at the Penampang Sports Complex clubhouse.
Bernama reported that only a few roads in the area are passable to cars.
Among the roads that have been submerged are Jalan Kiranau Inobong, Jalan Kolopis, Jalan Datuk Panglima Banting, Jalan Kibabaig and Jalan Kivatu Kasigui.
Apart from flooding, Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd reported power disruptions in several areas in Penampang due to floods yesterday morning.
However, the company said the issue was dealt with at 1.42pm.
The Civil Defence Force reported that as of 4pm yesterday, 348 flood victims from 91 families in Pitas, Beaufort, Paitan, Kota Kinabalu, Putatan, Penampang and Kota Belud were seeking shelter at relief centres. – The Vibes, January 18, 2021
