Malaysia: Devastating flooding caused by heavy rains in Malaysia and neighbouring Thailand has claimed at least 12 lives and displaced over 135,000 people. As storm warnings remain in effect, the toll is expected to rise.
In northern Malaysia, more than 122,000 people have been forced from their homes, with the worst-hit area being the northeastern state of Kelantan.
In Thailand, southern provinces have also been severely affected, with around 13,000 people displaced. Disaster officials in Thailand report that nearly 534,000 households in six southern provinces have been impacted, while Malaysia has also seen widespread evacuations.
The flooding, which began earlier this week, has submerged entire neighbourhoods. Thailand disaster management officials confirmed that flooding has affected critical infrastructure, forcing the closure of two hospitals in the south.
Six provinces in Thailand have declared a state of disaster, and the Thai government has allocated 50 million baht ($1.7 million) in emergency relief funds for each of the affected provinces.
In both countries, emergency services have been mobilised to assist with rescues and provide relief. Shelters have been set up for those displaced by the floodwaters. In Kelantan, Malaysia, local authorities report that evacuees account for 63 percent of the total displaced in the country.
The flooding has also triggered fears of widespread damage to both property and infrastructure. The Prime Minister of Malaysia has allocated provisions to the Terengganu and Kelantan state governments for disaster management. As the situation worsens, he has ordered cabinet members to cancel their leave to focus on managing the crisis.
In Thailand, authorities are preparing for further challenges, with forecasts predicting heavy rains through next week. The 2021 floods in Malaysia killed at least 14 people, while the 2011 floods in Thailand resulted in nearly 500 fatalities.
As floodwaters continue to rise, both Malaysia and Thailand are focusing on immediate relief and recovery efforts.
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