KUALA LUMPUR – A humanitarian crisis is unfolding in northern Sabah as relentless monsoon rains have triggered massive flash floods, forcing the evacuation of 3,685 residents as of 8:00 AM today. The situation has escalated with alarming speed, as the number of displaced persons stood at a mere 406 just yesterday evening.
According to the latest bulletin from the Sabah State Disaster Management Committee Secretariat, the 3,685 victims originate from 1,593 families across the districts of Kota Marudu, Pitas, and Paitan. To manage the influx of displaced citizens, authorities have fully activated 18 temporary relief centers (PPS) to provide shelter and essential supplies.
The scale of the disaster is most visible in Kota Marudu, which has emerged as the most affected district. The number of evacuees there skyrocketed from 290 people on Friday afternoon to 1,978 people this morning. These victims, representing 925 families, are currently taking refuge in four primary relief centers.
In the neighboring district of Pitas, the crisis has submerged approximately 30 villages. The surge in water levels forced 1,515 people from 593 families to flee their homes, a significant jump from the 116 victims recorded yesterday. Currently, eight relief centers are operating at high capacity within the district.
Meanwhile, in Paitan, the disaster management teams are monitoring five affected villages, with 192 individuals from 75 families currently sheltered across six relief centers.
The flooding began in earnest around 6:00 AM on Friday following several days of persistent, heavy rainfall that saturated the ground and caused local river systems to exceed their danger levels. The rapid rise of water has left many residents with little time to salvage belongings, prioritizing immediate safety.
The outlook remains precarious. The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a forecast indicating that while morning rains may persist in the inland areas, there is a high probability of severe thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening hours. This continued precipitation poses a significant risk of further water level rises, potentially expanding the flood zone to neighboring areas.
State rescue agencies, including the Fire and Rescue Department and Civil Defence Force, remain on high alert. Coordination efforts are focused on ensuring that all 47 affected villages across the three districts receive necessary aid.
Authorities are urging residents in low-lying or flood-prone areas to monitor water levels closely and to evacuate immediately if instructed by security forces. With thunderstorms predicted for the later part of the day, the window for safe evacuation in certain areas may narrow, making early movement critical for public safety.
