Severe Floods Turn Penampang Into Disaster Zone; Woman Found Dead

Penampang has been declared a disaster-hit district after severe floods wreaked havoc in several areas today. District officer and District Disaster Management Committee head Francis Chong issued the notice at 7:25 PM, citing reports and information from enforcement personnel on the ground.

Tragically, the body of a 37-year-old woman, who was believed to have been swept away by floodwaters the previous night, was found this morning. Penampang district police chief Superintendent Sammy Newton reported that her body was discovered around 8:00 AM, approximately 500 meters from where she was last seen near the Jalan Penampang Bypass intersection.

Why This Matters: The search-and-rescue (SAR) operation, launched immediately after police were alerted to the incident at around 10:00 PM yesterday, faced significant challenges due to swift currents and high tide. The SAR team, which resumed the search at 6:00 AM today, included two police officers, four rank-and-file personnel, seven officers and 13 members from the Civil Defence Force (APM), and 10 fire department personnel.

“The victim’s body was found stuck in a fence and a flowering tree,” Sammy Newton told reporters at the temporary evacuation center at the Penampang Cultural Hall. He explained that the woman, a local from Penampang, likely tried to cross an area with strong currents, where the water level had reached waist height at its peak last night. This marks the first fatality from the floods that hit Penampang following heavy rains that began around noon.

Sammy Newton urged the public to heed authorities' instructions to avoid further incidents. "We advise the public to always follow the authorities’ instructions to avoid any untoward incidents," he said.

The flooding has led to the evacuation of 112 flood victims from 40 families to the temporary relief center at the Penampang Cultural Hall. Emergency services and local authorities continue to monitor the situation and provide necessary assistance to those affected by the disaster.

Key Takeaways:

• Penampang declared disaster-hit due to severe flooding today.
• 37-year-old woman's body found after being swept away by floodwaters.
• Search-and-rescue efforts challenged by swift currents and high tide.
• Over 100 residents evacuated to temporary relief center.
• Authorities urge public to follow instructions to avoid further incidents.