KOTA KINABALU – Heavy continuous rains from early this morning have resulted in floods in several areas in the districts of Kota Kinabalu, Penampang. and Tuaran today.
A Sabah State Disaster Management Secretariat spokesman said when contacted that the agencies involved are monitoring flood hotspot areas and early preparations have been made to face flood hazards in the state.
“Sg Moyog was found to be at a dangerous level, and both directions of Jalan Datuk Panglima Banting in Penampang are affected. The public is advised to always be careful in this situation. No victims have been evacuated and no relief centres have been opened so far,” he said.
Meanwhile, a check found several areas hit by floods in Kota Kinabalu, among them Likas, Kolombong, and Manggatal, while in Penampang, Kolopis and Donggongon were hit, and Salut, Telipok, and Rugading in Tuaran.
Several roads leading to Kota Kinabalu from Tuaran were also affected, including Jalan Salut and Jalan Sulaman, and a check found that floodwaters had made the road impassable to vehicles, causing a 3km traffic pile-up.
Meanwhile, the Malaysian Meteorological Department issued a severe weather warning for the west coast of Sabah at 8.35am today, stating that heavy rains are expected to continue in Kota Kinabalu, Penampang, Tuaran, Papar, and Kota Belud.
Heavy rains are also expected at Sabah’s interior areas such as Sipitang, Tenom, Kuala Penyu, Beaufort, Keningau, and Tambunan, as well as at Ranau and Kudat. – Bernama, September 21, 2021