Kota Kinabalu: Continuous heavy rain over the past few days has caused flooding and landslides, cutting off several roads in the Beaufort, Tenom, and Keningau districts today.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Sabah Public Works Department (JKR) stated that Jalan Keningau-Kimanis in the Crocker Range National Park area was impassable due to a landslide at kilometre 11.2. This marks the second landslide in the area following an incident at kilometre 151.95/142.25 yesterday, where road clearance work is still ongoing.
The statement advised road users travelling to Keningau from Kota Kinabalu to use an alternative route via Jalan Kota Kinabalu-Keningau-Tenom. Jalan Keningau-Kimanis has been closed to traffic since March 4 because of ongoing soil movement along the route, with clearance work continuing today.
In the Tenom district, Jalan Mesej Kelanyaan at kilometre 0.5 was closed after the river overflowed, submerging the road, with no alternative route available. Similarly, three roads in the Beaufort district, Jalan Pimping at kilometre 3.562, Jalan Lumatai at kilometre 0.241, and Jalan Pak Musa from kilometre 0 to 0.350, were severely affected by floods.
JKR has taken early measures by installing warning signs at the affected locations and conducting road surface cleaning in accessible areas. Meanwhile, Md Razali Sipaun, an administrative assistant from Keningau, reported being unable to return to Kota Kinabalu for work due to the road closure.
He highlighted the risks of using alternative routes, noting that some stretches are reduced to a single lane due to a collapsed slope, and emphasized the importance of safety over convenience. Md Razali also expressed concern over road users moving barriers on closed roads, as seen in viral social media posts, warning that such actions endanger lives.
Juidah Ontok, a sundry shop owner from Sipitang, shared her difficulties in travelling to Beaufort to collect goods from her supplier due to the flooding. She noted that while essential goods are currently available, continued rain could lead to shortages, complicating the ability of residents to access supplies.