RANAU: A man and his puppy, both stranded for over 36 hours due to a swollen river, were rescued early Monday (Jan 3) by firemen in this Sabah district.

       The man, identified as Leonard Lawrence, 42, had been trapped by rising waters at Kg Takutan in Perancangan Ranau since noon on Sunday (Jan 2).

       Firemen were unable to carry out the rescue due to bad weather conditions and nightfall.

       As the weather eased early Monday, they managed to help Leonard and his dog cross the river to safety.

       Firemen said they managed to send in food using a high-line rope at about 10.40pm on Sunday.

       Meanwhile, the flood situation in north and north-east Sabah continued to worsen.

       The number of people evacuated rose to 2,435 from 874 families and were placed at 23 flood relief centres.

       A Civil Defence Department spokesman said Sabah’s northern Kota Marudu district saw an increase on Monday to 1,952 people from 779 families were placed in 12 centres, compared to 1,019 people on Sunday.

       In Paitan, 97 people from 23 families were moved to three centres while in Beluran district, 38 victims from 10 families were evacuated.

       In Telupid district, 51 people were evacuated to two relief centres.

       In Sandakan, 197 people from 42 families were evacuated while in Pitas, 79 people from 22 families were also moved to safety.

       Twenty temporary relief centres have been opened in six districts – 11 in Kota Marudu, three each in Paitan and Telupid, and one each in Pitas, Beluran and Sandakan.

       The flooded districts include Kota Marudu, Paitan, Telupid, Pitas, Beluran, Sandakan, Ranau, Kinabatangan and Lahad Datu.

       Continuous and heavy rains are forecast until Tuesday (Jan 4).