Sabah flood evacuees increase to 1,854 people

BEAUFORT - More than 500 families are currently seeking shelter at seven relief centres here, after flood situation in the district worsened.

The figure has increased from 706 people yesterday to 1,854 evacuees as of 11am today.

More villagers are also expected to turn up if heavy rain continues.

District fire and rescue department operator said main road in Membakut was impassable to small vehicles

State Meteorological Department director Abdul Malek Tusin said heavy rain, which started since Monday, was brought by northeasterly monsoon.

"It is expected to last until February but there is no King tide.

"It was so happened on Monday, the heavy rain poured during the high tide," he said.

The heavy downpour had caused several low-lying villages to flood. Affected districts include Membakut, Tenom, Sipitang, Papar, and Penampang.

In Tenom, all relief centres were closed this morning and evacuees had returned home after floodwaters receded.

Meanwhile in Sipitang, more than 60 villagers were still staying put at the district multipurpose hall as rain continued to pour.