Severe flooding caused by days of torrential rain has forced over 122,000 people to evacuate their homes across Malaysia, with disaster officials confirming three fatalities. Authorities warn that the numbers could rise as heavy rain and storm warnings persist.
Thousands of emergency personnel have been deployed to assist with rescues, while 679 shelters have been established to accommodate those displaced.
Videos circulating online show cars and homes submerged in floodwaters, with residents wading through waist-deep water to reach safety.
The northeastern state of Kelantan, bordering Thailand, is the most affected, accounting for 63 per cent of the displaced population.
Other affected states include Terengganu, Kedah, Perlis, Negeri Sembilan, Selangor, Johor, Melaka, and Perak.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s office confirmed that additional disaster relief supplies have been sent to the Kelantan and Terengganu state governments.
On Friday, the Prime Minister barred cabinet members from taking leave to ensure the government’s focus remains on managing the crisis.
This year’s floods have already displaced more people than the devastating 2014 disaster, which was among Malaysia’s worst in recent history.
The current monsoon season, which began in November, is expected to exacerbate the situation further.
In neighboring Thailand, six provinces have declared disasters due to flooding, with over 240,000 households affected. The Thai army has been mobilized for rescue operations.
Malaysia frequently experiences flooding during the monsoon season, but recent years have seen an increase in the severity and frequency of such disasters.
In 2021, floods claimed at least 14 lives, further stressing the growing challenge of managing such crises.
