THERE was a slight increase in the number of flood victims in Sabah as two more districts in the state were hit by floods this evening, while the situation in Johor is reported to be improving.

IN SABAH, the number of evacuees rose to 690 people from 204 families, who were placed at 14 relief centres, compared with 627 people from 188 families in the evening, with Beaufort and Beluran becoming the latest districts to be struck by floods.

The state Disaster Management Committee (DMC) secretariat in a statement said Telupid had the highest number of evacuees, with 453 people from 129 families, who were evacuated to eight relief centres.

“There were 122 people from 44 families who were moved to three centres in Paitan, while 45 people from 12 families are taking shelter at a centre in Lahad Datu.

“In Beaufort, 64 people (18 families) are being housed at one relief centre while in Beluran, six people (one family), were evacuated to a centre,” it said.

The Sabah Public Works Department said Jalan SRK Batu 60 and Jalan Suasa are closed to all vehicles due to floods and that there are no alternative routes for motorists for the time being.

Several areas on the west coast of Sabah, including Kota Kinabalu, Penampang and Tuaran, were hit by flash floods following heavy rain this evening.

A Bernama check found that among the affected areas were Bundusan, Kolombong, Kepayan, Lido, Sepanggar and Inanam in Kota Kinabalu; Penampang Lama, Taman Delima and Taman Penampang in Penampang; and Telipok and Gayang in Tuaran.

The Meteorological Department issued a warning for thunderstorms at 4.40pm for areas on the west coast of Sabah – Sandakan, Telupid and interior regions of the state including Tenom, Kuala Penyu, Beaufort, Keningau and Tambunan.

IN JOHOR, the number of evacuees dropped to 976 people as at 8pm, compared with 1,106 people in the evening.

According to the Johor DMC, two relief centres – SK Mawai in Kota Tinggi and Sekolah Agama Sri Bertam in Batu Pahat – were shut this evening, bringing the number of centres down to 10, which are housing 272 families.

“Batu Pahat still recorded the highest number of evacuees with 872 people, followed by Kota Tinggi (41) and Segamat (63),” it said in a statement.

The water level of Sungai Bekok in Batu Pahat is still above the danger level at 18.71m. – Bernama, February 1, 2023.