Severe flooding in Malaysia has displaced over 37,000 people, with Kelantan being the worst affected. Torrential rainfall, typical of the annual monsoon season, has caused rivers in the eastern states to exceed danger levels, inundating entire communities. By the end of November 2024, more than 20,000 people in Kelantan were forced to seek shelter in temporary evacuation centers as floodwaters submerged roads and damaged homes.
The flooding was particularly intense in Kelantan and Terengganu, where rivers burst their banks, and infrastructure was overwhelmed. In Kelantan, the flooding was worsened by a breach at a flood mitigation project, which caused additional damage in the Pasir Mas district. In Terengganu, many districts faced similar devastation, with over 6,000 people seeking refuge in emergency shelters.
The local government has mobilized a wide range of resources to assist those affected, including setting up relief centers and deploying rescue teams. Volunteers and emergency services are working tirelessly to provide essentials, such as food and shelter, to displaced residents. Despite efforts to manage the situation, the scale of the flooding has challenged the nation’s flood management systems, highlighting the vulnerabilities of low-lying areas during the monsoon season.
As recovery efforts continue, the hope is that improved weather conditions will ease the flooding and allow residents to return home. However, the damage from these floods is a stark reminder of the challenges posed by extreme weather in the region.
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