Floodwaters in Sabah have displaced 1,748 people across four districts, with emergency services working to assist evacuees as heavy rains continue.

The Malaysian Civil Defence Force, which has been deployed to oversee rescue operations and manage temporary relief centres over the last couple of days, said the situation remains critical in Beaufort, Membakut, Keningau, and Sook.

Membakut has seen the sharpest increase in evacuees, with numbers rising from 230 to 705 overnight. 

Relief efforts in the district are being focused on Dewan Kesenian Islam Membakut, which is now at full capacity.

In Beaufort, 780 people remain displaced, with many housed in Dewan Selagon and Dewan DSP Dun Banir. 

Authorities say water levels have not receded, and more evacuations could take place if rainfall persists.

In the interior districts, Keningau and Sook have seen their numbers climb to 133 and 130 evacuees, respectively.

 Landslides have also been reported, blocking roads in some areas such as the Kimanis-Keningau road, in Tenom, Nabawan. 

Two bridges in Keningau were also damaged in yesterday’s rain and flood incidents. 

Rescue teams have been distributing food, water, and medical aid to affected residents. 

Authorities have warned that more rain is expected, with river levels in some areas already nearing dangerous thresholds.

The floods come just two months after a separate disaster in December 2024 and January 2025, which displaced over 2,700 people across the state. 

The National Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (PRABN) sounded the alarm over possible heavy rainfall and floods in the major west coast areas of Sabah three days ago. 

Relief efforts from that crisis were still ongoing and the numbers of evacuees are expected to climb further particularly in Beaufort and Membakut, the agency said. 

The Civil Defence Force has urged residents in flood-prone areas to remain alert and prepare for possible evacuation. – March 9, 2025