PENAMPANG (Feb 24): The flood disaster in Sabah early this year affected a total of 3,120 household heads (KIR) involving 9,735 victims who were relocated to 68 temporary evacuation centres (PPS), said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also the chairman of the central disaster management committee, said that Sabah experienced two flood episodes: the first from 17 to 20 January, involving three districts, while the second episode took place from 27 January to 16 February, affecting 14 districts.

“The flood disaster in Sabah also caused damage to several public infrastructure, such as suspension bridges in Kota Marudu and Pitas districts,” he said in a statement that was issued following the National Disaster Management No.1/2025 High Level Committee meeting held at the Federal Secretary’s Office in Sabah on Monday.

He explained that the meeting discussed issues and solutions related to the flood disaster situation in the Sabah and Sarawak regions, which have been affected since January 2025.

Ahmad Zahid also said that Sabah experienced the highest average rainfall of 900mm, compared to the usual 450mm during the 2024/2025 Northeast Monsoon (MTL).

He added that data recorded a total of 5,012 heads of households (KIR) involving 16,670 victims affected by the floods who took shelter in 85 PPS. However, 32,901 families were affected by the floods but did not relocate to PPS,” he added.

Ahmad Zahid also said that a total of 60 KIR involving 209 victims took shelter at the Dewan Kampung Sukan Petronas following the landslide at Kampung Lereng Bukit, Miri.

He said that the Sarawak State Government is currently identifying temporary housing areas to relocate these families to provide comfort for elderly people, children and pregnant women, especially while Kampung Lereng Bukit is being rebuilt and slope issues are being addressed.

“Sarawak estimates that 1,335 public infrastructure projects have been damaged and require immediate repairs and maintenance due to the recent floods,” he said.

He added that to address the flood disaster, flood mitigation projects are being implemented by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS) and will be closely monitored to ensure no delays that could impact efforts to reduce floods once the projects are completed.

“The government, under the leadership of the Prime Minister, is highly prioritising this issue and is committed to ensuring that all flood mitigation projects are carried out efficiently, effectively, and according to schedule for the safety and well-being of the people,” he assured.

He said that in Sabah, a total of 14 flood mitigation projects will be implemented.

“Two flood mitigation projects have been completed and are in the defect liability period, ten projects are under construction, and two projects are in the pre-implementation phase,” he said.

As for Sarawak, a total of ten flood mitigation projects have been planned, two of which have been completed and are also in the defect liability period, two projects are under construction, and six projects are in the pre-implementation phase, he said.

The Deputy Prime Minister also said that as an immediate measure, the meeting has approved the construction of a Permanent Disaster Evacuation Centre (PPKB) in Long Busang, Belaga district, Sarawak.

He said that for the PPKBs in other areas, the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) will cooperate with the Ministry of Education.

“As of now, only one PPKB has been built in Johor, which is located at Dewan Serbaguna Taman Kota Jaya, Kota Tinggi.

“For the long-term mitigation plan, NADMA, together with JPS, will implement the plan, including leveraging AI and the latest technology, particularly in disaster management and risk reduction,” he said.