SANDAKAN – Two men have died while another remains missing in the Beluran constituency following floods and bad weather since New Year’s Eve.
Yesterday, a 60-year-old man drowned after he was swept away by the strong currents of Sg Liningkung, Telupid.
Beluran district police chief Kasim Muda, in a statement last night, said that the victim was a farmer who tried to cross the river to reach his flooded house.
Villagers found the victim, who was initially unconscious, not far from the location where he was last seen yesterday. He was later pronounced dead at the Telupid Health Clinic.
The man was the second one to be killed by floods after a 28-year-old fisherman was found dead yesterday after he went missing in Kuala Penubukan in Paitan on New Year’s Eve.
An estate worker in a different area in Beluran, identified as Kaerul, 26, is still missing after being believed to have been swept away by strong currents while trying to cross the Kg Kinadaan-Matanggal road on December 31.
As of last night, six temporary relief centres have been activated in the constituency, namely SMK Pamol, Dewan Kg Binsulong, Dewan Kg Balaban, Dewan Kg Bakong-bakong, Dewan Rancangan Nangoh and Dewan Kg Bauto, collectively housing 137 victims from 31 families.
“Areas that are getting worse with increasing water levels are Tagas-Tagas, Pamol, Paitan, Sugut and Telupid. The Batangon Darat main road has also been disconnected due to serious flooding,” Kasim said.
He said 192 personnel have been mobilised from police, marine police, the Civil Defence Department, the armed forces, the Fire and Rescue Department, Community Development Leader Unit, Rela, Health Ministry, Village Development and Security Committee as well as the Beluran, Telupid and Paitan district offices.
“We urge residents in Beluran to stay alert and report flood updates or any flood-related problems to the Disaster Operation Control Centre in Beluran, Telupid and Paitan. – The Vibes, January 3, 2022
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