NUMBER OF FLOOD EVACUEES IN SABAH, SARAWAK RISES TO OVER 1,300 THIS MORNING

KUALA LUMPUR, March 11 (Bernama) -- The number of flood victims in Sabah and Sarawak increased to 1,361 people this morning as continuous heavy rain since yesterday forced more residents to seek shelter at temporary relief centres.

In SABAH, the number of evacuees rose sharply to 1,020 people from 502 families, compared with 445 people from 143 families recorded last night.

The Sabah State Disaster Management Committee secretariat said 40 villages across three districts were affected, with all victims currently housed at five relief centres.

The worst-hit district is Kota Marudu, where 851 people from 456 families from eight villages have been displaced, up from 398 people from 132 families last night.

All evacuees there are being housed at SMK Tandek 2 and SMK Tandek relief centres.

In Paitan, 26 villages have been affected, with evacuees increasing to 127 people from 37 families, compared with 47 people from 11 families last night. They are currently housed at Batagon Darat Community Centre and PCS Purubatu Church Hall.

Meanwhile, in Pitas, 42 people from nine families across six villages have been relocated to the newly opened Dewan Sinukab evacuation centre.

In SARAWAK, the number of flood victims sheltering at two evacuation centres in Kuching rose slightly to 341 people from 91 families as of 8 am today, compared with 329 people from 92 families last night.

According to the Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee, the R‑Piang Hall is housing 116 people from 24 families in Kampung Sinar Budi Baru, while the Stapok Community Hall is sheltering 225 people from 67 families in Kampung Desa Ria.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has issued a warning of thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds in parts of Sarawak, including Sri Aman (Lubok Antu), Betong, Sarikei and Mukah, until noon today.

-- BERNAMA