Floods displace over 122,000 in Malaysia

• Published On: 30 November 2024 at 20:32

More than 122,000 people were forced to leave their homes on Saturday as severe floods from unrelenting rains continued to batter Malaysia's northern states.

Officials from the National Disaster Management Agency indicated that the number of displaced people has surpassed that of the 2014 flooding catastrophe, with fears that it will grow much more owing to continued rains.

The death toll remains four, with deaths reported in Kelantan, Terengganu, and Sarawak. Kelantan has been the worst hit.

According to data from the National Disaster Management Agency, Kelantan state was hit the most by the flooding, accounting for 63% of the 122,631 individuals evacuated.



Terengganu has seen approximately 35,000 individuals relocated, with the remainder dispersed across seven other states.

Heavy rain began earlier this week, flooding streets and residences in regions such as Pasir Puteh in Kelantan.

Residents report slogging through waist-deep water and feeling isolated as floodwaters cut off access to their communities.


Some, including Zamrah Majid, a 59-year-old school janitor, reported water levels perilously near to their homes.


"My area has been flooded since Wednesday. "The water has already reached my house corridor and is only two inches away from entering," Majid told AFP.

"Luckily, I moved my two cars to a higher ground before the water level rose."

Muhammad Zulkarnain, 27, who lives with his parents in Pasir Puteh, claimed they were isolated. "There is no way in or out for any vehicles to enter my neighborhood," he told AFP over the phone.

Many evacuees have yet to receive help, and are dependent on food supplies donated by non-governmental organizations.

Emergency agencies have sent troops, rescue boats, and helicopters to help those impacted, but obstacles persist due to the floods' extensive impact.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department has warned that heavy rains will continue till Sunday, aggravating the situation in Kelantan, Terengganu, and Perak.


The northeast monsoon season, which lasts from November to March, frequently brings heavy rainfall to Malaysia, causing serious floods.

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Hamidi, who leads the National Disaster Management Committee, emphasized that emergency measures are still underway, with thousands of people working to help flood-prone communities.