Severe Floods Submerge Three Districts in Sabah

KUALA LUMPUR – A relentless monsoon deluge has left vast areas of southern Sabah underwater, paralyzing infrastructure and forcing a mass evacuation across the districts of Beaufort, Tenom, and Sipitang. As of Friday, emergency responders are working around the clock to transport stranded villagers to safety as river levels continue to hover at dangerous thresholds.

The crisis began following a period of intense, uninterrupted rainfall that battered the state’s interior and southern regions. The sheer volume of water caused local tributaries to swell rapidly, eventually breaching their banks and spilling into residential housing estates and traditional kampungs.

In Beaufort, a district historically susceptible to seasonal floods, the situation escalated quickly as primary transit routes were submerged under several feet of water. Local authorities reported that many light vehicles were stranded after attempting to navigate flooded roads, prompting a complete closure of several key arteries connecting the district to neighboring townships.

The State Disaster Management Committee has coordinated a multi-agency response to manage the influx of displaced persons. In Beaufort, the Dewan Selagon (Selagon Hall) was among the first Temporary Evacuation Centers (PPS) to reach near-capacity, providing shelter, food, and medical assessments for families who fled their inundated homes.

In Tenom and Sipitang, rescue teams consisting of the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) and the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) utilized fiberglass boats to reach isolated settlements. The evacuation priority remains focused on vulnerable populations, including infants, the elderly, and those with limited mobility.

“The water rose with such speed that many residents were unable to salvage their belongings,” noted a field officer from the rescue agency. “Our current focus is 100% on life preservation. We are urging anyone still in low-lying areas to evacuate immediately while it is still daylight and safe to do so.”

Beyond the immediate threat to life, the floods have dealt a heavy blow to the region’s infrastructure. Preliminary reports indicate significant damage to village bridges and agricultural plots, which serve as the primary livelihood for many local communities. Power utilities have also been cut off in certain zones as a safety precaution to prevent electrical hazards in submerged residential areas.

Telecommunication signals in the more remote parts of Tenom have also been reported as intermittent, complicating efforts for residents to call for help or receive real-time weather updates.

While there are signs of the rain easing in some sectors, the Malaysian Meteorological Department warns that the danger is far from over. With the ground already heavily saturated, even moderate rainfall could trigger further flash floods or, more critically, landslides in the hilly terrains of the interior.

State authorities have advised the public to avoid all non-essential travel to the affected districts and to monitor official channels for updates. Residents are reminded to keep their “ready bags”—containing essential documents, medicine, and dry rations—easily accessible as the monsoon season continues to impact the state.