Kota Marudu Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili said the authorities, led by the district office which had set up a disaster relief committee, placed flood victims at seven evacuation centres and eight shelter homes.

"About 330 families have been evacuated while 30 villages have been cut off from road access due to the flood, which is a perennial problem in Kota Marudu," said Ongkili who made his daily rounds, visiting the centres and affected areas.

Among the infrastructure damaged by floods, he said, was the newly-built RM190,000 suspension bridge at Kampung Timbang Batu as well as the river levy at Sungai Laut.

He added that if the situation persisted, food assistance would have to be provided for individual homes that were cut off from accessibility, since those living there would have been unable to go to town for their provision.

"I appeal for speedy disbursement of government disaster funds to enable us to purchase food and necessities for those affected," he said and also appealed to NGOs to contribute essential items such as milk, blankets, towels, biscuits and basic necessities.

Those who wished to offer help can email the committee at jkba.pdkm@yahoo.com or contact the operations room at 088-661321.

"All non-government donations and contributions will have to go through the district office. I also wish to remind people to take precaution and restrict their movement to within the district, in light of the unpredictable weather," he said.

State secretary Datuk Sukarti Wakiman who is also the state disaster relief chairman, together with National Security Bureau Crisis and Disaster Management Directorate director Che Moin Umar also visited the disaster relief operations room at the district office.

Ongkili later attended the funeral of Kg. Tanjung Batu village head Indar Sapaun, 54, whose body was recovered by rescue workers at 11.30am after being swept away by sea currents near his home at 6pm on Friday.

His body was recovered about 5km from the scene at the Marudu Bay.