Kota Kinabalu: The Kota Kinabalu district was officially declared a flood disaster area Saturday night.
This is expected to result in enhanced coordination between agencies and activation of emergency response systems to handle the situation.
Kota Kinabalu Mayor Sabin Samitah (pic), who is the district disaster management committee chairman, said the declaration was made based on reports and field information received from relevant agencies, Bernama reported.
“In line with this, the Kota Kinabalu disaster operations control centre has been activated, located at the Kota Kinabalu City Hall building,” he said.
Some 495 people from 159 families are currently sheltering at two temporary relief centres.
The Sabah State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) said the increase followed Kota Kinabalu being declared flood-hit in addition to Beaufort.
“Of the total, 315 victims from 113 families are residents of eight flood-affected villages in Beaufort and are being housed at the Selagon Hall Permanent Evacuation Centre,” it said in a statement.
In Kota Kinabalu, one village has been affected, with 180 victims from 46 families placed at the Al-Munir Mosque Hall in Kampung Darau.
The public can contact the centre’s hotline at 088-210011 or 088-239681 to provide information or lodge complaints.