(Kuala Lumpur) Malaysia is bracing for its worst floods in a decade on Friday after heavier-than-expected monsoon rains caused severe flooding that killed three people and displaced more than 84,000.
Published at 7:00 a.m.
The National Disaster Command Center’s online portal said on Friday that 84,597 people, from more than 25,000 families, spread across seven states, were evacuated to 488 temporary shelters.
The northeastern state of Kelantan, bordering Thailand, was worst hit with 56,029 people evacuated from their homes, followed by the neighboring state of Terengganu with 21,264.
Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said on Thursday that this year’s floods were expected to be worse than 2014, when more than 250,000 people were displaced and 21 killed. He said, according to local media, weather forecasts indicated heavy rains next month would likely affect more states.
He indicated, according to New Straits Timesthat government agencies were prepared to deal with the disaster. Nearly 83,000 people and thousands of rescue boats, four-wheelers and life jackets as well as 31 helicopters are ready, he announced.
The government has also identified 8,481 temporary evacuation centers across the country that can accommodate more than two million people, he added.
“Given the seriousness of the situation, all parties have been mobilized to ensure the safety and well-being of flood victims,” he said, according to the national news agency Bernama.
Flooding is common in parts of Malaysia during the annual monsoon season, which begins in November and can last until March. The meteorological department has warned that the country can expect five to seven episodes of heavy rain during this period.
