Idris Mohd Noor, a general manager with Sabah Electricity (SESB), said the strong winds and heavy rain since Friday resulted in toppled electricity poles, fallen trees, soil erosion and flash floods in some areas.

He said power failures occurred in several areas in Kota Kinabalu, Papar, Keningau, Tenom, Kota Belud, Kudat and Labuan.

“Many SESB installations suffered severe damage due to the bad weather, which disrupted electricity supply to consumers.

“SESB technical staff, who were on holiday to celebrate Hari Raya Aidiladha, have been instructed to assist and speed up the process of restoring electricity supply in the affected areas,” he said in a statement.

Idris said the SESB team would give priority to critical locations such as hospitals and those involving public safety.

The meteorological department said a low-pressure weather system off the western Philippines could cause downpours, thunderstorms and strong winds in northern Sarawak, western Sabah and Labuan until July 12.

The Sabah fire and rescue department said some 40 incidents of fallen trees were reported in the state since last night.

A 51-year-old woman was injured in the shoulder by a falling tree while gardening in Kampung Kalanggan, Penampang, this afternoon. The fire brigade received a report at 3.12pm and removed the tree with the help of villagers.