TAWAU — A total of 48 residents stranded by a flash flood in Kampung Tanjung Batu Keramat here were safely evacuated to a nearby mosque serving as a temporary relief centre early today.
The Sabah Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) said it received an emergency call via the National Emergency Response Services (NG999) at 3.10am and deployed a team from the Tawau Fire and Rescue Station to the scene, about five kilometres away.
The first fire engine arrived at 3.16am, and firefighters carried out monitoring and evacuation operations in the affected areas, including Kampung Tanjung Batu Keramat, Taman Ria 1, Taman Hot Spring, Taman Sunshu housing area and Taman Sri Balung.
JBPM said floodwaters were reported to be receding during the operation, with the situation brought under control.
“Throughout the operation, the Tawau Fire and Rescue Station’s operations control room also received several emergency calls related to flooding in the affected areas. Firefighters continued to monitor the situation and provide the necessary assistance before concluding the operation after confirming that the affected locations were safe,” it said in a statement.
The operation, which ended at 7.30am, involved 14 firefighters led by Operations Commander PBK I Mohd Yahya Abd Fatah, with assistance from five personnel from the Civil Defence Force (APM) and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM).
Of the 48 evacuees, two were senior citizens, comprising one man and one woman, while the others included nine adult men, 19 adult women, 11 boys and seven girls.
The operation utilised two Fire Rescue Tenders (FRTs), one Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) vehicle and one four-wheel-drive vehicle.
