KOTA KINABALU – Intermittent rainfall since 2am this morning caused flash floods in many areas along Sabah’s west coast, while strong winds destroyed an old, abandoned building in Kimanis near Papar.
Netizens shared accounts of the thunderstorm causing floods here, in Inanam and Penampang, while also affecting other districts like Tenom, Papar, Kimanis and Kota Belud.
Sabah Meteorological Department director Amirzudi Hashim said the thunderstorm that hit the state this morning was due to the tailend of tropical cyclone Kompasu, which hit northern Philippines yesterday evening.
He said the state was hit due to the concentration of wind gusts over west coast districts brought in by the typhoon.
“Thunderstorms will occasionally dissipate for a short period before forming a fresh squall cloud formations, which reappears, bringing a fresh thunderstorm.
“We see the possibility of another thunderstorm early tomorrow morning,” he added.
The tropical cyclone was seen this morning heading towards Hainan, China.
Meanwhile, Sugud, a village area in Penampang badly affected by floods on September 15, was inundated by floodwaters again.
However, no victims have been relocated to temporary shelters, although hundreds of resident have been left stranded.
In Inobong, Penampang, more than 100 families were trapped after a bridge linking their area to town became inundated due to rising water levels of the local river.
Resident Julius Sidin said he is not able to pass the bridge in Sg Koimadang, Kolopis and that, for the time being, is unable to get to Donggongon, Penampang’s main township.
“At this point, the river is still not passable. The bridge remains submerged,” said Sidin, who had to return home after trying to get to work this morning.
The Civil Defence Force has reported water rising to risky levels in Sg Moyog, and alerted residents nearby of possible floods in the district.
The latest reading at the Sg Moyog river is 8.82m at press time, not far below the dangerous level of 9m.
The Fire and Rescue Department, meanwhile, said a well-known British-era wooden shophouse in old Kimanis town was destroyed by strong winds.
The collapse of the abandoned building occurred around 6am this morning. No casualties were reported in the incident. – The Vibes, October 12, 2021
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