Officials report that severe flooding resulting from heavy rainfall in Malaysia and neighboring Thailand has led to the deaths of at least 12 individuals.
In northern Malaysia, over 122,000 individuals have been compelled to leave their residences, while approximately 13,000 people in southern Thailand have similarly faced displacement.Concerns are mounting that the figure may increase, with heavy rain and storm warnings still in effect.
Emergency services have been mobilized to assist stranded residents, with shelters established to provide the necessary support.
Flooding that commenced earlier this week has resulted in the evacuation of thousands of residents across both countries.
Footage circulating on social media and featured in local news reports depicts vehicles and residences engulfed by floodwaters, with individuals navigating through water that reaches their waists.
A video captured in Thailand’s Sateng Nok district depicts rescuers transporting a baby from the roof of a submerged house.
Disaster officials reported that flooding has affected approximately 534,000 households in southern Thailand, leading to the closure of two hospitals to safeguard medical facilities from potential water damage.
In a significant development, six provinces have officially declared a disaster in response to the devastating floods.
The government has allocated 50 million baht ($1.7 million; £1.3 million) in flood relief for each province. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra emphasized that the objective is to “restore normalcy as quickly as possible.”
In Malaysia, the flooding has primarily affected the northeastern state of Kelantan, which shares a border with Thailand.
The National Disaster Management Agency reports that evacuees represent 63% of the total.
A resident of Pasir Puteh in Kelantan reported that her neighborhood has been experiencing flooding since Wednesday.
“The water has already reached the corridor of my house and is merely two inches away from entering,” Zamrah Majid informed the AFP news agency.
A resident reported that he and his family have found themselves cut off due to the flooding.
“Muhammad Zulkarnain informed AFP that vehicles are unable to enter or exit his neighborhood.”
In addition, eight other states in Malaysia have been impacted.
The current displacement figures have already exceeded those recorded in 2014, a year marked by some of the most devastating floods in the nation’s history.
The prime minister’s office has announced that provisions for disaster management have been dispatched to the state governments of Terengganu and Kelantan.
On Friday, he prohibited his cabinet members from taking leave to ensure their full attention was directed towards addressing the disaster.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department has warned that heavy rains will continue in several states until Sunday. Meanwhile, the Thai Meteorological Department has cautioned that “hefty rain” may persist into the following week.
Both nations are subjected to monsoon rains during this period, leading to frequent flooding.
In 2021, Malaysia experienced some of the most severe flooding in decades, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 14 lives.
In 2011, Thailand experienced extensive flooding that resulted in the deaths of at least 500 individuals and caused significant damage to millions of homes.
