Education Dept closes 22 schools in Kota Marudu, Pitas

The Sabah Education Department has directed 22 schools in Kota Marudu and Pitas to close due to flood.

Its director Datuk Maimunah Suhaibul said today that 6,627 students and 605 teachers were affected by the measure.

"Seventeen schools were closed in Kota Marudu including a secondary school, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Langkon, and five in Pitas.

"Those affected were 5,965 pupils and 550 primary school teachers, and 662 students and 55 secondary school teachers," she said in a statement here.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Civil Defence Force, Sabah director, Col Muliadi Al-Hamdi Ladin said 185 residents had been evacuated to three relief centres in Kota Marudu.

In a statement, he said the flood victims were temporarily housed at Dewan Kampung Taritipan (93 people), Balai Raya Talantang (52 people), and Dewan Kampung Morion (40 people).

He said nine other villages, Kampung Talantang I, Kampung Masolong, Kampung Magaratong, Kampung Rakit, Kampung Morion, Kampung Piso, Kampung Salimandut, Kampung Tandek, and Kampung Asin-Asin had also been inundated.

The water level rose following heavy rain and drizzle since 11.30pm last night.

-- BERNAMA