Over 122,000 displaced as floods hit Malaysia’s northern states

Kuala Lumpur: More than 122,000 people have been displaced in Malaysia’s northern states due to devastating floods triggered by relentless rains, disaster officials reported on Saturday. The number of displaced residents has already surpassed the 118,000 people affected by the country’s worst floods in 2014, with officials fearing the figure could rise as torrential downpours continue.

The death toll remains at four, with fatalities recorded in the states of Kelantan, Terengganu, and Sarawak.

Kelantan state has been hit the hardest, with 63 percent of the total displaced population, according to data from the National Disaster Management Agency. Terengganu saw nearly 35,000 people evacuated, while the remaining displacements occurred in seven other states.

The heavy rains, which began earlier this week, have caused severe flooding in towns like Pasir Puteh in Kelantan, where streets are submerged with floodwaters reaching up to hip-deep levels. Residents have been seen wading through the water, struggling to cope with the disaster.

Flooding is a recurring issue in Malaysia, especially during the northeast monsoon season, which runs from November to March, bringing heavy rainfall to the region.

In response, thousands of emergency services personnel, including rescue boats, four-wheel-drive vehicles, and helicopters, have been deployed to flood-prone areas. Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who leads the National Disaster Management Committee, assured that rescue operations are ongoing to assist affected communities.