The ongoing landslide and flood disaster in Sabah has turned tragic, with 13 lives lost so far, including six children, as continuous rain wreaks havoc across multiple districts.
Authorities confirmed that 12 deaths were reported yesterday alone, while one death occurred on the first day of the incident last Friday.
Landslides claim lives across multiple districts
After more than 10 hours of search and rescue efforts, the final victim of the landslide at Kampung Marahang Tuntul, Papar, Sabah was found at 8:45 p.m. last night. The entire operation concluded at 2:05 a.m. today.
According to Oriental Daily, Kota Kinabalu District Police Chief Assistant Commissioner Kasim Muda confirmed in a statement that the final victim was a 10-year-old girl, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
The landslide occurred at 9:20 a.m. yesterday, involving a mother and her two children, who were reported to be buried under the debris.
The first victim, a 34-year-old mother, was discovered at 4:20 p.m., followed by her 6-year-old son just five minutes later.
He said the Papar Fire and Rescue Station received the report at 9:20 a.m. regarding the landslide involving a house and arrived on site at 9:34 a.m.
The victims were recovered with the assistance of the fire department and other rescue units. All deaths were confirmed by medical personnel, and the bodies were subsequently handed over to the police,” he added.
The discovery of the girl’s body brought the death toll from landslides in Sabah since last Friday to 13 people.
Among them were seven victims, including four children found buried after a landslide struck Kampung Cenderakasih, Kolombong, Inanam at 9:15am yesterday.
The children, aged 2 to 9 years, included three boys and one girl. The three remaining victims were two women and one man aged 25 to 50 years.
Floods worsen, over 1,600 evacuees affected
The Sabah State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) revealed that the number of flood victims has surged to 1,648 people from 417 families as of 8pm tonight — almost double the 863 victims reported this afternoon.
Evacuation centres have been opened so far, including 7 in Penampang, 3 in Membakut, 2 each in Papar & Putatan and 1 permanent centre in Selagon, Beaufort.
Each affected household head will receive RM1,000 Compassionate Cash Aid (BWI), while families of those who lost their lives will get RM10,000 death compensation. Food baskets are also being distributed to affected residents.
PM approves RM10mil emergency funds
On his Facebook, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced an immediate RM10 million allocation through the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) to aid victims.
This is in addition to RM11 million already channelled to the state government for urgent repairs to basic infrastructure in the affected areas.
“Our priority is to ensure the safety, welfare, and survival of flood victims with immediate focus,” said Anwar, who also mobilised all government agencies under the MADANI administration for relief efforts.
Malaysia Day event cancelled, focus on relief efforts
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor announced the cancellation of the state-level Malaysia Day celebration scheduled for tomorrow at Padang Merdeka, saying the state’s immediate focus is on rescue and recovery operations.
The people’s safety and welfare come first. All resources must go towards those affected by this disaster,” Hajiji stressed, after visiting flood victims at evacuation centres in Putatan and Penampang.
He assured that the state government and JPBN are on full alert to provide immediate assistance as heavy rains continue across the state.
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