As Malaysia grapples with severe flooding that has already displaced over 120,000 residents and caused three fatalities, emergency services are mobilizing to assist those in need, and neighboring Thailand faces similar disaster conditions.
Catastrophic Flooding in Malaysia Displaces Over 120,000 Amid Ongoing Storm Warnings
Catastrophic Flooding in Malaysia Displaces Over 120,000 Amid Ongoing Storm Warnings
Heavy rainfall has triggered widespread flooding across Malaysia, leaving more than 122,000 individuals homeless and resulting in casualties, amid heightened storm alerts.
Heavy flooding caused by relentless heavy rain has devastated Malaysia, displacing over 122,000 individuals and leading to the unfortunate deaths of three people, as confirmed by disaster officials. With storm warnings still in effect, concerns grow that these figures may escalate.
Emergency services have been tirelessly deployed to rescue stranded residents, while shelters are being organized for the affected population. Eyewitness videos depict the severity of the situation, showcasing submerged vehicles and properties, as well as individuals navigating through waist-deep waters.
The flooding crisis began earlier this week, primarily impacting the north-eastern state of Kelantan, which shares a border with Thailand. According to the National Disaster Management Agency, this state accounts for 63% of the evacuee count. Alarmingly, the number of displaced individuals has surpassed that of the catastrophic flooding in 2014, which stands out as one of the worst floods in the history of the nation.
To accommodate the influx of those affected, the disaster agency has established 679 emergency shelters. Other states feeling the impact include Terengganu, Kedah, Negeri Sembilan, Perlis, Selangor, Johor, Melaka, and Perak. In a bid to manage the disaster efficiently, the prime minister's office has dispatched necessary provisions to the governments of Terengganu and Kelantan, and has instructed his cabinet members to remain focused on the situation by barring them from taking leave.
In neighboring Thailand, the flooding has also led six provinces to declare a disaster, with more than 240,000 households impacted, as reported by the Interior Ministry. The Thai military has been tasked with rescue operations to assist those in peril.
Malaysia's annual monsoon season, which begins in November, often brings bouts of flooding, and the country witnessed notably severe floods in 2021 that resulted in at least 14 fatalities.
