More than 150,000 individuals are currently seeking refuge in evacuation centers across Malaysia, as the nation grapples with its worst flooding crisis in a decade. Torrential rains over the past week have inundated the east coast, particularly impacting the northeastern states of Kelantan and Terengganu, where at least three fatalities have been reported, according to the National Disaster Management Agency.
In response to the escalating crisis, the government has established at least 686 relief centers and deployed over 82,000 personnel for rescue and aid operations. The number of affected residents has surged from approximately 37,000 on Thursday.
Mohd Zulkifli Osman, chief of the fire and rescue department in Kelantan’s Tanah Merah district, highlighted the unprecedented nature of the flooding. “Areas that typically experience one to two feet of water now face chest-deep inundation. They were not prepared for this,” he stated. Osman noted that the current situation surpasses the severity of the 2014 floods, which displaced over 118,000 people.
Social media footage reveals overflowing rivers and submerged vehicles and homes. However, Osman emphasized improved preparedness compared to a decade ago. “In 2014, we faced shortages of boats and life jackets. Since then, we are better equipped to manage the crisis,” he explained.
While the Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for continuous heavy rain, indicating potentially dangerous conditions, there is hope for a reduction in rainfall tonight. Flooding is a recurring challenge in Malaysia during the monsoon season, displacing thousands annually; in 2021 alone, floods affected over 71,000 people and resulted in at least 54 deaths.
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