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What happened, where and when?
The severe flooding in Sabah State began on 8 March 2025 due to continuous heavy rainfall, causing major rivers to overflow and triggering widespread flooding across six districts: Beaufort, Membakut, Keningau, Sook, Tenom and Kemabong. The Sungai Padas, an essential waterway linking these districts, overflowed its banks, submerging low-lying communities and severely affecting the infrastructure. In Tenom, Sungai Pagalan and Sungai Padas exceeded danger levels, submerging several villages and disrupting transportation routes, while in Keningau, Sungai Liawan saw a rapid rise in water levels, impacting residential areas and local infrastructure. Meanwhile in Beaufort, Sungai Padas continued to surge, putting communities at further risk of displacement. To mitigate worsening flood conditions, the District Office of Tenom ordered a controlled water release from a dam. However, this led to more severe flooding downstream in Beaufort, compounded by rising sea levels. The continuous heavy rainfall also caused landslides, blocking a major roads, including the Jalan Tenom-Keningau, Jalan Pamilan, Jalan Tenom-Kuala Tomani, and Jalan Pekan Melalap, which became accessible only to heavy vehicles. Several rivers exceeded danger levels, including Sungai Padas in Tenom and Beaufort (9.5 meters, danger level: 9.0 metres), Sungai Pagalan inTenom (6.8 metres, danger level: 6.0 metres), and Sungai Liawan in Keningau (8.2 metres, danger level: 7.5 metres). Rising floodwaters forces thousands of residents to evacuate, and by 9 March 2025, a total of 4,555 individuals from 1,493 families were displaced, prompting the activation of 31 temporary evacuation centres (PPS). The flooding severely disrupted daily life, damaged infrastructure, and raised concerns about shortages of clean water. The closure of roads, particularly between Keningau and Tenom, further complicated emergency response efforts.
By 11 March 2025, floodwaters in Keningau began to recede, leading to the closure of two temporary evacuation centers and allowing some displaced residents to return home. However, post-flood assessments found that several villages remained inundated, with significant infrastructure damage and ongoing humanitarian needs. By 16 March 2025, the situation had stabilized, and all PPS centers were officially closed, marking the full return of affected communities. Responding to the crisis, the Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) deployed an assessment team from 13–18 March 2025, consisting of four personnel supported by two members from MRCS NHQ, to evaluate humanitarian needs in the most severely affected districts: Keningau, Tenom, and Beaufort. During interviews with the District Office, Community Development Leader (UPPM), and Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) Chairpersons in these districts, the assessment team found that disruptions to water treatment plants had significantly impacted communities, exacerbating challenges in accessing clean water and essential services, including livelihoods, health, and education. A total of 70,570 individuals from 14,114 households were affected across these three districts. Based on the assessment findings, MRCS determined that additional support was necessary and initiated a request for Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) assistance to address urgent humanitarian needs. On 18 March 2025, the MRCS assessment team submitted the Needs Assessment Report and discussed the possibility of applying for DREF. After coordination with IFRC APRO and Headquarters, it was confirmed that MRCS was eligible to apply for DREF, using the date of the Needs Assessment Report as the trigger date for the funding request. As of 20 March 2025, flooding continues to impact multiple states in Malaysia, displacing thousands of people. In Johor, 3,515 individuals from 1,030 families have been displaced across five districts, with 50 PPS centers established on 19 March. The Malaysian Meteorological Department (METMalaysia) has forecasted heavy rainfall until 21 March, raising concerns about further flooding. In Sarawak, three temporary evacuation centers remain operational, sheltering 148 displaced individuals since 29 January, while in Kuala Lumpur, one temporary evacuation centre remains open, accommodating seven evacuees since 1 March. In Sabah, flood conditions remain critical, with new temporary evacuation centers established in Beluran, Paitan, and Sandakan; currently sheltering 250 displaced individuals as of 20 March. Additionally, another episode of heavy rain and strong winds is expected from 25 March until May 2025 in Sabah and Sarawak, posing a continued risk of flooding and displacement.