The number of flood evacuees at six relief centres here continues to rise to 2,418 at noon today from 2,391 recorded this morning.

According to a Beaufort flood operations room spokesperson, the victims comprised 709 families.

“The water level in several areas in the district is still rising and more residents, especially in Gadong, have been instructed to evacuate since 10am,” he told Bernama .

However, he said the water level in Padas river, although still above the 8.70-metre danger level, had dropped to 8.87 metres from 9.20 metres recorded this morning.

Meanwhile, 16 schools in Beaufort had also been ordered closed due to floods, affecting 2,622 students.

Deputy Education Minister Mary Yap Kain Ching said state education director (Datuk Jame Alip), had taken necessary action to ensure the safety of teachers and students, while monitoring the flood situation.

“All education officers in Beaufort have been instructed to take necessary action to ensure the safety of teachers and students during flood,” she told reporters after visiting the proposed new site for Sekolah Menengah Ulu Sapi at Jalan Sapi Nangoh in Beaufort today.

She said the schools involved would be asked to hold replacement school days later.

In Sandakan, two primary schools were also ordered closed today after the roads heading to the schools were submerged in flood waters due to overflow of rivers.

Sandakan District Education Office’s school management division chief Baslie Basah said the two schools were Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Ladang Sandak and SK Labuk Subur.

He said the two schools had a total of 563 pupils and 51 teachers and staff.

- Bernama