KOTA KINABALU: A mudflow caused by a four-hour downpour on Thursday (Sept 21) has damaged several fruit stalls in the hilly Ranau district, located about 120km from here.
The heavy rain, which began around 3pm, also led to the collapse of two roads, including one that connected to a popular highland resort in Mesilau, situated at the foothills of Mount Kinabalu.
Ridwan Mohd Taib, the chief of Ranau Fire and Rescue, stated that they received a report about the mudflow at around 4pm.
He explained that at least eight fruit stalls at Kampung Nabutan, off KM137 Jalan Kota Kinabalu-Sandakan, were severely affected by the flash flood, which carried along with it mud and debris.
“The mudflow was triggered by heavy rain that lasted for approximately four hours from 3pm,” he said when contacted on Friday (Sept 22).
Ridwan mentioned that the road concessionaire was summoned to clear the debris, and the fire department, along with the police and Civil Defence Force (APM), were present at the scene to monitor the situation.
“There have been no reports of injuries in the mudflow. Likewise, we have not received any reports of injuries in other parts of Ranau, and no one has been relocated to a disaster relief center,” he added.
Videos of the mudflow hitting the stalls began circulating on social media late Thursday evening.
Ridwan stated that the department, along with other agencies, is closely monitoring the weather conditions in Ranau.
“It is still overcast today, but we are prepared to take action in case of an emergency,” he noted.
He also mentioned that their Mountain Search and Rescue (Mosar) unit and Sabah Parks were monitoring the safety situation on Mount Kinabalu following a water surge caused by heavy rain last week.
Early morning on Tuesday (Sept 12), a downpour in Kundasang resulted in a water surge from the top of Mount Kinabalu.
Sabah Parks stated on their Facebook page that strong currents, caused by the heavy rain between 5.50am and 7am, rushed down to the Panalaban resting area at KM7.2 near the Sayat-Sayat checkpoint.
A group of climbers and their mountain guide were seen descending the mountain while holding onto a rope amidst the powerful rush of water.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
