A total of 32 primary and secondary schools have been closed due to floods in southwestern Beaufort and neighbouring Membakut, says the Sabah Education Department.

Its director Datuk Raisin Saidin said the schools were either directly affected by floods or access roads were flooded as of 10am yesterday.

He said the school authorities informed students and parents about the closure in view of the flood situation.

Raisin identified the schools affected in Beaufort as Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Mempagar, SK Lago, SK Bangkalalak, SK Klias Baru, SK Lupak, SK Suasa, SK Pintas, SK Baru 60, SK Garama, SK Biah Batu 65, SK Kebulu, SK Ladang Lumadan, SK Luagan, SK Takuli, SK Rancangan Klias, SK Klias Kecil, SK Jabang, SK Kg Jaya Pimping and SK Kebatu.

Others affected were Sekolah Kebangsaan Jenis Cina (SKJC) Kung Ming and SJKC Lian Hwa as well as the secondary schools SMK St Paul and SMK St John.

The schools in Membakut that were affected were SK Pekan Membakut, SK Kampung Brunei, SK Bambangan, SK Saint Patrick Membakut, SK Sinoko, SK Bandau, SK Pg Jaya Pimping and SK Lembah Poring.

He also said that several schools in Beluran, Tongod and Tenom were affected by the floods.

Among them were SK Sualok and SK Kenang Kenangan in Telupid and four schools in Tenom involving SK Kalang Kanar, SK Inubai, SK Ladang Sapong and SK Paguokon.

Five schools in three districts were used as a temporary relief centre – SMK Membakut, SMK St Patrick Membakut, SK Mandalom Lama Tenom, SJKC Chung Hwa Tenom and SK Pekan Keningau II.