KK MP Urges Full Preparedness for Disaster Response

14 September 2025

KOTA KINABALU: Heavy downpours in Kota Kinabalu last night triggered flash floods in multiple areas, leaving parts of the city waterlogged. Notably, Dah Yeh Villa experienced an uncommon situation where floodwaters failed to recede quickly, only subsiding fully around 2pm today.

This afternoon, Kota Kinabalu MP Datuk Chan Foong Hin, together with Luyang Assemblyman Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, Likas Assemblyman Datuk Tan Lee Fat, and Kota Kinabalu Parliament Chief Liaison Officer Kaven Lee, inspected the Damai River Flood Mitigation Project pump station. The delegation urged authorities to adopt more flexible and responsive measures in handling flood incidents.

Chan stressed that with increasingly unpredictable weather patterns caused by climate change, and with the Meteorological Department forecasting further heavy rainfall in Sabah, relevant agencies must remain on high alert and strengthen disaster preparedness.

He commended the Kota Kinabalu Volunteer Fire Brigade, led by Kaven Lee, which has been stationed at Dah Yeh Villa since last night to assist in traffic control, water-level monitoring, and ensuring residents’ safe return home.

“One affected household faced a power outage after the waters receded. Kaven Lee immediately contacted Sabah Electricity for technical support, and repair works are still underway,” Chan added.

Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, who is also Sabah’s Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship, directed the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS) Sabah to improve operational procedures, monitor weather changes closely, and respond with greater agility to minimise disaster impact.

At the site, Sabah JPS Deputy Director Irene Choo reported that Kota Kinabalu recorded 138mm of rainfall last night, far exceeding normal levels and causing widespread flooding.

“The city’s annual average rainfall is about 2,400mm. Just 40mm of rain in a night can trigger flash floods, but last night we received 138mm, which equals nearly half a month’s rainfall,” she explained.

She added that the pumps were unable to cope with three times the usual volume, compounded by a high tide at dawn that prevented floodgates from opening, and a temporary power shortage at the pump station. As a result, Dah Yeh Villa experienced unusually slow floodwater recession.

“We could only open the gates once the tide receded at 11 am today. By around 2 pm, all floodwaters had finally drained away,” Choo said.

Currently, Kota Kinabalu’s flood control relies mainly on two projects: the Lido Flood Mitigation Project and the Dah Yeh Villa Damai River Flood Mitigation Project.

Meanwhile, areas such as Sepanggar, Inanam, and Kolombong are served by the Likas River Flood Mitigation Project.

The Damai River project is undergoing a pump station expansion, increasing capacity from four pumps to six. Funded by the Federal Government with RM48 million, the project is expected to benefit 17,500 residents. As of July 2025, physical progress has reached 45%.

Separately, a landslide occurred in Kampung Kopungit (Block A) last night, destroying a house. Two residents narrowly escaped while asleep, with no casualties reported.

Following their inspection of the Damai River pump station, Phoong and Chan also visited the affected family, providing essential supplies and extending their support.