Kota Marudu: Flooding that hit several villages in this district following two days of continuous heavy rain since Wednesday was described by locals as among the worst, with water levels rising swiftly. Flood victims housed at the temporary relief centre (PPS) at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Bandau said they only managed to save essential items like important documents, while some could only escape with their families.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Noraidah Lamada, 33, from Kampung Sumbilingon Laut, said it was the worst flood the village had experienced in over two decades. She explained that while the village is accustomed to flooding during prolonged downpours, the severity of this event was unprecedented, with water rising rapidly and causing panic among residents. The flooding occurred in the middle of the night, increasing the danger and fear as residents scrambled to save their families. Fortunately, the Civil Defence Force and the Fire and Rescue Department were able to rescue them and move them to the PPS safely.

Noraidah estimated her losses at over RM10,000, as the floods washed away all her household items. As of 8 am today, Kota Marudu had the highest number of evacuees, with 2,944 people from 1,095 families, out of a total of 5,216 victims from 1,820 families displaced by the floods.

Another victim, Ida Mariana Marimpan, 40, shared her experience of the rapidly rising waters, explaining that she and her husband managed to save only their three children before being evacuated. She expressed the heartbreak of seeing their home in disarray and the loss of household items, including electrical appliances, and called for government assistance to help ease their burden.

Meanwhile, Mohd Azrul Lamada, 37, from Kampung Kuranji, noted that although this was not the worst flood the village had ever seen, the speed of the rising waters made it one of the most severe. Many residents were caught off-guard and unable to save their belongings, including vehicles, as the water levels rose much faster than in previous floods.

A Bernama survey indicated that the flood situation in the district has begun to improve, with victims being allowed to return home. Kota Marudu District Disaster Management Committee chairman Meirin Sugara, who is also the district officer, confirmed that the weather had improved and the floods have fully subsided. Residents are being permitted to return home in stages, and the district is expected to recover fully from the flood today.