[UPDATED] Over 1,400 Sabahans evacuated from flood-hit homes

KOTA KINABALU – Tenom and Beaufort districts have been hit by flash floods following heavy rain over the past few days, with more than 370 families evacuated to temporary relief centres.  

The Sabah Disaster Management Committee (DMC) said as at 8am today, more than 1,400 victims were evacuated, 1,149 of them in Tenom and 294 in Beaufort.  

In a statement, the state Civil Defence Force said it is expecting the number of evacuees to increase.  

So far, nine relief centres have been set up in Tenom, and one each in Beaufort and Sipitang.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor, in a statement, said he has arranged for the distribution of 2,000 food baskets via two helicopters to the flood victims in Tenom and Beaufort today.

He said the state DMC will monitor the flood situation in Sabah.

“The state government, through the state DMC, will distribute 2,000 food baskets to families at 11 temporary relief centres in Tenom and Beaufort (including Membakut). 

“We will also distribute food baskets to those who have lost land connectivity in a few areas of Tenom. As for Sipitang and Keningau, food baskets will be arranged by the respective district DMCs.

“I ask that residents living in areas that are at a high risk of flooding to move away. I want the priority now to be people’s safety, and ensuring they receive food assistance.” – The Vibes, May 21, 2021