KUALA LUMPUR. Devastating floods triggered by relentless rains have forced more than 122,000 people to evacuate across Malaysia’s northern states, surpassing the 118,000 displaced during the country’s catastrophic 2014 floods, officials reported Saturday.
The National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) expressed concerns that the situation could worsen as torrential downpours show no signs of abating. Thus far, four fatalities have been confirmed, with the deaths recorded across Kelantan, Terengganu, and Sarawak.
Kelantan: The Epicenter of Disaster
Kelantan state has suffered the most significant impact, with 63% of the 122,631 evacuees coming from the area. Terengganu has also seen nearly 35,000 evacuations, while seven other states reported smaller-scale displacements.
Pasir Puteh in Kelantan has been particularly hard-hit. Streets are inundated with waist-deep water, leaving many residents stranded.
“My area has been flooded since Wednesday. The water has already reached my house corridor and is just two inches away from coming inside,” said Zamrah Majid, a 59-year-old school janitor. “Luckily, I moved my two cars to higher ground before the water level rose.”
While Zamrah’s grandchildren played in the shallow floodwaters, she expressed growing concerns. “If the water gets higher, it would be dangerous. I’m afraid they might get swept away,” she said.
Another resident, Muhammad Zulkarnain, 27, described the isolation his family faces. “There’s no way in or out for any vehicles to enter my neighborhood,” he said. “Of course, I’m scared… Luckily, we have received some assistance from NGOs, like biscuits, instant noodles, and eggs.”
Heavy Rainfall Continues
The Malaysian Meteorological Department warned that heavy rains will persist until Sunday in Kelantan, Terengganu, and Perak. Floodwaters have rendered many areas inaccessible, compounding the challenges for emergency services.
Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who chairs the National Disaster Management Committee, announced the deployment of thousands of emergency personnel, rescue boats, four-wheel-drive vehicles, and helicopters to assist in relief efforts.
Flooding is a recurring problem in Malaysia during the northeast monsoon season, which brings heavy rains from November to March. However, this year’s floods have been particularly severe, underscoring the escalating challenges posed by climate change in the region.
With no immediate reprieve in sight, the government and NGOs continue to coordinate relief efforts to support affected communities.
Gary P Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
