Severe flooding across Malaysia has claimed the lives of three people and forced over 122,000 residents to flee their homes. Authorities warn that the situation could worsen as storm alerts remain active nationwide.
The state of Kelantan, near the Thai border, is the hardest hit, accounting for 63% of the displaced population. Other affected states include Terengganu, Kedah, Selangor, Johor, and Perak.
In response, the National Disaster Management Agency has set up 679 emergency shelters to accommodate evacuees. Thousands of emergency responders have been deployed to rescue those stranded, while essential supplies are being directed to Kelantan and Terengganu, the worst-affected areas.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has instructed his cabinet members to suspend their leave to focus on relief efforts. In a statement, his office emphasized the government’s commitment to prioritizing the safety and well-being of the affected communities.
This year’s flooding surpasses the 2014 disaster in terms of displacement, making it one of Malaysia’s worst natural calamities.
The crisis has also spilled into neighboring Thailand, where six provinces have declared flood emergencies, impacting over 240,000 households.
