The number of people displaced by severe flooding in Sabah, Malaysia has more than doubled in the last 12 hours, with emergency shelters now housing 3,579 evacuees across six districts.

According to the Civil Defence Force, which has been leading rescue and relief efforts, floodwaters have continued to rise throughout the day, forcing more families from their homes in Beaufort, Membakut, Keningau, Sook, and Tenom.

Beaufort remains the worst-affected area, with 1,202 evacuees seeking shelter as authorities work to manage the influx. 

In Sook and Membakut, over 700 people each have been forced to relocate, while Tenom has recorded a rapid increase in displaced residents, now standing at 741 people.

Rising floodwaters and continuous heavy rainfall have also caused damage to infrastructure, with landslides cutting off major roads in Keningau, Kimanis, Tenom, and Nabawan. In Keningau, two bridges were severely damaged, adding to the logistical challenges for rescue teams.

Authorities have opened additional evacuation centres, including Dewan Residensi Prima in Beaufort and multiple relief centres in Tenom, to accommodate the growing number of evacuees.

The latest flooding crisis comes just two months after the December 2024 – January 2025 floods, which displaced more than 2,700 people across Sabah. Relief operations from that disaster were still ongoing when the current floods hit, placing further strain on emergency response teams.

The Civil Defence Force has urged residents in flood-prone areas to remain on high alert, warning that more rain is expected in the coming days. Officials have yet to confirm when evacuees will be able to return home. – March 9, 2025