Malaysia: Overnight rain causes massive flooding in northern Sabah

STEPHANIE LEE The Star 4 Jan 17;

KOTA KINABALU: Several areas in Sabah’s northern Pitas district are flooded due to continuous overnight rain.

As many as 27 families from two villages -- Kg. Bilangau and Kg. Rukum -- have already evacuated the area.

It is unclear how bad the situation is at the moment as authorities, including firemen, are still at the scene.

WhatsApp messages being circulated suggest that many roads in the district have been affected with vehicles not able to pass through.

It is understood that the water level has exceeded 5m in some areas.

A spokesman from the Sabah Fire and Rescue Department operations room said that various agencies have been despatched to access the situation and take necessary action.

“We received calls about the floods early this morning and we were informed that some 140 people have moved on their own to SK. Rukum, Pitas as their houses are flooded,” said the spokesman.

There are no reports of casualties so far.