KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government has begun mobilising assistance to help the increasing number of flood victims in the state.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said security forces have been deployed to the affected areas and placed on standby in high-risk areas to assist victims.
"Emergency food aid is also being prepared for distribution to flood victims as soon as possible by the relevant agencies," he said in a statement today.
As of 4pm, a total of 1,249 flood victims from 432 families have been evacuated to 15 temporary shelters.
The affected districts include Kota Marudu, Paitan, Beluran, Telupid, Sandakan and Pitas.
Hajiji said for now, the people's safety is the government's utmost priority.
"I urge everyone to take extra precautions. The state government will also ensure that all agencies throughout the state are ready to spring into action when necessary," he said.
On Dec 29, Hajiji had instructed all disaster management committees in the state to be activated in anticipation of bad weather in the east coast and northern parts of the state as forecasted by the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia).
He said he would be attending the post-North East Monsoon Flood Disaster Management Task Force special meeting to be chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob tomorrow.