KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — On Friday, Malaysia braced itself for potentially its worst flooding in ten years following unanticipated heavy monsoon rains, which have led to severe inundation, claiming three lives and displacing over 80,000 individuals.
The National Disaster Command Center’s online portal reported that 84,597 individuals from more than 25,000 families across seven states were relocated to 488 temporary shelters. The state of Kelantan in the northeast, adjacent to Thailand, faced the most severe impact, with 56,029 residents evacuated, followed closely by Terengganu with 21,264 evacuations.
Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi indicated on Thursday that this year’s flooding might surpass that of 2014, which saw over 250,000 individuals displaced and 21 fatalities. He noted in a statement to local media that forecasts predict continued heavy rainfall next month, which could extend its effects to other states.
According to the New Straits Times, he mentioned that government agencies are equipped and ready to address the crisis. Nearly 83,000 personnel, along with a multitude of rescue boats, all-terrain vehicles, life jackets, and 31 helicopters, are on standby. Furthermore, the government has earmarked 8,481 temporary evacuation centers nationwide, capable of accommodating over two million people.
“Considering the gravity of the situation, all relevant parties have been deployed to ensure the safety and well-being of those affected by the floods,” he reportedly stated to the national Bernama news agency.
Flooding is a recurring issue in various regions of Malaysia during the annual monsoon season, which commences in November and can extend into March. The Meteorological Department has cautioned that the country could anticipate between five and seven significant rainfall events during this season.
