Flood Victims Increase in Sabah as Sarawak Opens First Relief Centre

KUALA LUMPUR: Flood conditions in Sabah worsened on Friday as the number of evacuees continued to rise, while Sarawak opened its first temporary evacuation center amid increasing flood risks.

In Sabah, the State Disaster Management Committee Secretariat reported that the number of flood victims had increased to 4,652 people from 1,799 families as of 4pm, up from 3,768 earlier in the day. All affected residents have been placed in 25 temporary evacuation centers (PPS) across three districts: Pitas, Kota Marudu, and Paitan.

Pitas recorded an increase to 2,013 evacuees from 787 families, up from 1,653 people earlier, while Paitan saw a sharp rise to 716 evacuees from 234 families, compared with 192 previously. Meanwhile, Kota Marudu remained unchanged with 1,923 evacuees from 778 families.

In Sarawak, the state Disaster Management Committee announced that its first evacuation center was opened at Masjid Darul Istiqlaal in Kampung Sungai Maong, Kuching, at 11am. A total of 63 people from 17 families have been relocated to the center, with authorities expecting the number to increase.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department has forecast continued wet weather in Sabah and Sarawak throughout the week, with rainfall expected due to a monsoon surge affecting the region.

Authorities have urged residents in low-lying and flood-prone areas to remain vigilant and follow evacuation instructions if conditions worsen.