KOTA KINABALU: Sabah, which was hit by floods several times this year, has taken the necessary steps to respond to the possibility of another deluge following warnings of heavy monsoon rains.

       State Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya said they were prepared for any eventuality since November.

       “We have prepared the essentials required for temporary shelters in the various districts identified as flood-prone areas,” he said in an interview.

       Among these essentials are mattresses, pillows, bottles of mineral water and dry food, which have been distributed to the respective districts beginning November.

       Any evacuation exercise, he added, would be handled and coordinated by the district offices.

       A Sabah Fire and Rescue Services Department spokesman said they were on standby, having placed their assets at strategic flood-prone areas following the forecast from the Meteorological Department.