BELURAN, Feb 23 — Recent severe flooding in Paitan has affected 19 schools, including Sekolah Kebangsaan Bawang K9, which was submerged by floodwaters, resulting in damage to school property.
The school’s security guard Muksin Majambu, 49, recalled that heavy rain began on the night of Feb 18 and continued into the following day.
“At dawn, my friend and I were scheduled to be on duty at the school, so we came earlier that night. The rain did not stop, and we expected the water level to rise, but we did not expect such a major flood. In my 11 years working here, this is the first time I have seen flooding this severe, to the point that the school was completely submerged.
“When we saw the water rising, we moved books, school equipment and other important items to higher ground. By midnight, floodwaters had begun entering the teachers’ room. At that time, the rain was still ongoing, and the water level rose rapidly,” he told Bernama.
He added that using a boat, he and his friend also rescued two teachers who were stranded at the staff quarters, before bringing them to safety at a mosque at around 4 am.
He said that the floodwaters only fully receded on the third day, allowing cleanup work to begin, adding that he was traumatised by the incident and saddened by the extent of the damage.
“Books, computers, television units used for teaching and other equipment can no longer be used. Even the school furniture is damaged,” he said.
Meanwhile, school cleaner July Janting, 40, said that the incident occurred during the school holidays, and that rising water levels were initially reported by the security guard.
“We never expected the school to be submerged. So today my colleagues and I are carrying out cleanup work, as school reopens tomorrow,” she said, adding that the school experiences about three floods a year, although floodwaters rarely enter classrooms.
Meanwhile, Tangkarason Health Clinic here, which has been operating for about a year in a new building, after its original premises were destroyed in a fire in 2024, has once again been hit by disaster after recent floods saw water levels rise to near the clinic’s roof.
Chairman of the Tangkarason Health Advisory Panel and Health Clinic Johmen Masandu said that losses incurred over the past two days due to the flooding are estimated to exceed RM1 million.
“Following the flood disaster two days ago, extensive damage was recorded by health personnel, including the loss of three vehicles, furniture and medical equipment, as well as medicines and vaccines. All these items are considered a total loss.
“Although the clinic has been in operation, it has yet to be fully equipped, as facilities such as X-ray equipment are still in the process of being installed,” he told Bernama, after inspecting the condition of the clinic.
He expressed hope that the remaining medical equipment supplies for the clinic could be expedited, and that equipment damaged by the floods would be replaced immediately, as the clinic serves as a vital healthcare facility for residents in the surrounding area.
In the meantime, he said that the clinic will temporarily operate from the village hall, providing only medicine supplies to patients.
“Within a day or two, services will be conducted at the village hall to distribute medicines, as many patients have run out of essential medication, such as those for high blood pressure and cholesterol. Our inspection earlier found that all medical equipment and medicines at the clinic were damaged,” he said.
Following this, he added that the clinic will receive medicine supplies assistance from the Beluran Health Office and the Telupid Health Clinic, to ensure continuity of care for patients in the area.
