Three fatalities have been confirmed by disaster officials, and over 122,000 people have been forced to abandon their homes around Malaysia due to severe flooding brought on by days of intense rain. As storm warnings and heavy rain continue, officials caution that the number may increase.
In order to help with rescue efforts, thousands of emergency personnel have been sent out, and 679 shelters have been set up to house the affected.
Online videos depict homes and vehicles engulfed in floodwaters, with locals walking through waist-deep water to escape.
The most affected state, with 63% of the relocated people, is Kelantan, which borders Thailand in the northeast.
The states of Terengganu, Kedah, Perlis, Negeri Sembilan, Selangor, Johor, Melaka, and Perak are also impacted.
Additional disaster assistance supplies have been dispatched to the state governments of Kelantan and Terengganu, according to confirmation from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s office.
The prime minister forbade cabinet members from taking time off on Friday in order to maintain the government’s emphasis on crisis management.
In comparison to the terrible 2014 tragedy, which was one of Malaysia’s worst in recent memory, more people have already been displaced by this year’s floods.
Read Also: Nigeria Must Avoid Another Civil War, Says Gowon
The current monsoon season, which started in November, is predicted to make matters worse.
Over 240,000 homes in six provinces in neighboring Thailand have been impacted by flooding-related disaster declarations. Rescue efforts have prompted the mobilization of the Thai army.
Flooding is a common occurrence in Malaysia during the monsoon season, but in recent years, the frequency and intensity of these disasters have increased.
Floods killed at least 14 people in 2021, underscoring the increasing difficulty of handling such emergencies.
