Severe flooding in Malaysia’s northern states has displaced over 122,000 people, officials reported on Saturday. This marks a higher displacement than during the country’s devastating floods in 2014, which saw 118,000 evacuated. The heavy rains, which began earlier this week, are expected to continue, raising concerns that the number of evacuees could increase.
The death toll from the flooding stands at four, with Kelantan, Terengganu, and Sarawak being the most affected. Kelantan, in particular, saw 63% of the evacuations, while nearly 35,000 people were forced out in Terengganu. Other states, including Perak, have also reported significant flooding.
Residents in the affected areas, such as Pasir Puteh, are facing severe conditions, with streets submerged in water. Local residents, like Zamrah Majid, described the rising water levels and lack of assistance. While some have received aid from NGOs, others, like Muhammad Zulkarnain, have been isolated with limited access to supplies.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department has issued warnings of continued heavy rain through Sunday. Flooding, a recurrent issue due to the northeast monsoon, is exacerbating the already difficult situation. Emergency response teams have been deployed, including rescue boats, four-wheel-drive vehicles, and helicopters, to assist those affected.
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