ANN/THE STAR – An elderly woman was rushed to the hospital after being bitten by a snake while evacuating a flood-hit village in Sabah at night.
The victim, believed to be in her 60s, was wading through floodwaters in Kampung Kauran, Keningau, when the snake struck, biting her left hand.
She was trying to reach higher ground as the waters rose when the attack occurred, according to the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM).
Emergency responders transported her to Keningau District Hospital at 10.38pm on Wednesday. Her condition is reported as stable.
Authorities warned residents to be cautious when navigating floodwaters, citing hidden dangers such as venomous snakes. Heavy rains have flooded at least 11 low-lying areas in Keningau and Kinabatangan, displacing over 60 people in Keningau alone.
A flood emergency was declared in Keningau at 1am yesterday, and evacuees were moved to the Dewan Koningau temporary relief centre.
The total number of displaced residents across flood-hit areas, including Kinabatangan, has risen to 319 from 81 families across 76 affected villages in the two districts.
“We have mobilised all relevant agencies to assist affected residents and are closely monitoring the situation,” said District Officer Peter Jonu @ J Moinjil, who chairs the District Disaster Management Committee.
