KOTA KINABALU: A total of 341 villagers have been evacuated and placed at temporary relief centres after their homes were flooded following continuous downpour.
The evacuation operation involved 131 families residing in flood-prone areas in the state capital, Tuaran, and Kota Belud.
According to statistic furnished by the state Civil Defence Department as at 4pm today, continuous downpour led to 78 villages affected by floods.
In Kota Belud, 293 people from 119 families were relocated to four relief centres; namely in Dewan Masyarakat Tun Said, Dewan Muhibbah Kampung Timbol, Dewan SMK Taun Gusi 2, and Dewan SMK Tun Said.
Heavy rain had caused flooding in 38 villages with main roads leading to several of the settlments also being cut off.
In Tuaran, 45 people from 11 families were evacuated to Dewan Seri Sulaman after heavy rain inundated 26 low-lying villages.
In the state capital, Dewan Masyarakat Manggatal was activated to shelter a family of three, and so far, the flood situation only affected two villages.
Other districts facing flooding situation due to the wet spell were Penampang with seven villages affected and Beaufort with five villages affected.
Thus far no relief centres are opened in these two districts.
According to the Malaysian Metereological Department, continuous heavy rain and isolated thunderstorm are forcasted to hit Sabah until Oct 12.