More than 100 residents in Tenom and Beaufort affected by floods

More than 100 flood victims from seven villages in the Tenom district, near here have been evacuated to eight temporary relief centres which were opened today.

Tenom District Officer Madiyem Layapan said among the affected villages were Kampung Mandalom Lama, Kampung Batu, Kampung Pantugon Sasa, and several villages in Kemabong including Kampung Bangkulin and Kampung Labut.

He said the centres were Desa Sapong Atas with 29 people, Rumah Kebudayaan Mandalom Lama (18 people), Rumah Kebudayaan Bangkulin (19 people), Kampung Pantugon Sasa (17 families), Rumah Kebudayaan Labut (22 families), Balairaya Sebak and Rumah Kebudayaan Batu-Batu (41 families) and Rumah Kebudayaan Kampung Nalayan (18 people).

"Food aid from the welfare department is being distributed to the victims," he said when contacted by Bernama.

He said as of late this evening, the river water level in Tenom was at 178 metres, which was higher than the danger level of 177 metres.

He said the operations room was open 24 hours and the authorities were constantly monitoring the situation.

Madiyem also advised residents who were at risk of the floods to quickly evacuate if the weather became worse.

Meanwhile, Beaufort District Officer Mohd Shaid Othman said the district disaster operations had been activated after three villages were affected by the floods.

Mohd Shaid said the affected villagers in Kampung Binunuk, Kampung Balibata and Kampung Bakalau had been evacuated to the Dewan Masyarakat Baru Beaufort since this afternoon.

"The number of residents have not yet been determined as the evacuation has just started and the districts which are frequently flooded have been put on alert and are closely monitored," he said.

He said the water level of Sungai Padas was at 9.11 metres, exceeding the danger level of 8.70 metres.

This is the fourth time Tenom and Beaufort have been affected by floods this year, with the previous occurrences in February, May and November.