Kota Kinabalu : On Wednesday, a sudden flash flood wreaked havoc in multiple districts across Sabah, uprooting trees, overturning vehicles, and collapsing wooden structures (Sept 15).
On Thursday, images of muddy homes, some still flooded, partially submerged roads, and automobiles were shared on social media (Sept 16).
Many people were seen cleaning their homes as others waited for the floodwaters to recede.
As of 8 a.m., there were 68 refugees from 27 families in Penampang and Putatan, according to state Civil Defense personnel.
The number is expected to grow as rescue attempts continue and many regions are difficult to reach.
Many landslide victims in the Penampang area escaped death or injury by scrambling to safety.
When a family of six in Penampang heard a loud gushing noise, they bolted from their home.
"The landslide destroyed our entire house. Everything has been ruined "one of them, who did not want to be named, said
They've taken refuge at a relative's house close since then.
Meanwhile, floods have wreaked havoc in Penampang, where a lady who identified herself only as Elizabeth claimed the floodwaters had not expected to rise so swiftly.
"The floodwaters came rushing in, and we didn't have time to save our belongings like the refrigerator, the children's schoolbooks, mattresses, and other items," said the Inobong mother of four.
Even though the rain had ceased the night before, Angel Albert in Kg Togop said it was frightening how the river level continued to rise.
"This has been one of the worst floods I've ever seen. The water level has nearly reached our waists, and our washing machine, refrigerator, beds, and table have all been flooded ""Says the 19-year-old," he says.
Residents in Luyang, Bundusan, and the neighbouring areas were similarly perplexed by the tremendous flash flood, which affected even areas not normally affected.
"I suppose it's climate change," a businesswoman who did not want to be recognised stated.
A cashier who has lived in a Bundusan residential area for the past 30 years said she has never seen the floods reach such heights and submerge the main roadways in her neighbourhood.
"The rains were not as heavy as we've seen before, but the flood poured in so quickly," said the mother of one.
Alex Tham, who lives in Kasigui, said his car, motorcycle, and everything else in his house were destroyed.
"We experience flash floods all the time, but they're rarely this bad," he remarked.
Those who have been impacted are pleading with the government to take flood mitigation measures to avert future disasters.
Over the past few months, Sabah's west coast areas, particularly Penampang, Kota Kinabalu, and its surrounding villages, have been affected by floods and landslides a dozen times.
Source : The Star
*Content has been changed.
By Pujangga Lara
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