Hundreds of thousands of people displaced due to floods in Thailand and Malaysia, worst floods in decades.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia — Severe flooding triggered by relentless monsoon rains has devastated parts of Malaysia and Thailand, leaving at least 12 dead and displacing over 152,000 people in the two neighboring countries. Officials fear the numbers could rise as heavy downpours and storm warnings persist.
RELEVANT SUSTAINABLE GOALS
Malaysia Faces Record-Breaking Displacement
In Malaysia, nearly 139,000 people have been forced from their homes, surpassing the 118,000 displaced during the infamous 2014 floods. The death toll currently stands at four across the northeastern states of Kelantan, Terengganu, and Sarawak.
Floodwaters have inundated towns and villages, submerging homes and vehicles. Residents are navigating waist-deep water as emergency services scramble to rescue those stranded. The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has warned that heavy rains will continue in Kelantan, Terengganu, and Perak until December 1.
“I moved my two cars to higher ground before the water level rose,” said one resident. Others, however, remain isolated. “There’s no way in or out for vehicles to enter my neighborhood,” said Muhammad Zulkarnain, a resident of Pasir Puteh in Kelantan.
Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi, who heads the National Disaster Management Committee, assured citizens that resources, including rescue boats, helicopters, and emergency personnel, have been deployed to affected areas. However, many residents report delays in receiving assistance.
Thailand Grapples with Widespread Flooding
Southern Thailand is similarly struggling, with more than 13,000 people displaced across six provinces. Disaster officials report nearly 534,000 households have been impacted, with homes and roads submerged in water.
Videos circulating on social media show dramatic rescue efforts, including emergency responders carrying a baby from a roof in the Sateng Nok district. In some areas, hospitals have been forced to close as floodwaters threaten medical facilities.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced a disaster declaration for six provinces and pledged 50 million baht ($1.7 million) in relief for each affected area. “Our goal is to restore normalcy as quickly as possible,” she said.
Rising Waters, Rising Concerns
Both countries experience annual monsoon rains that often result in flooding, but the scale of this year’s disaster recalls some of the region’s worst natural calamities. In Malaysia, the 2021 floods claimed at least 14 lives, while Thailand’s devastating 2011 floods killed over 500 people and displaced millions.
The ongoing rains have brought fresh concerns about preparedness. Malaysia’s government has barred cabinet members from taking leave to focus on managing the disaster, while Thailand has allocated significant funds for relief and recovery.
Officials in both countries warn that the worst may not be over. Heavy rains are forecast to continue in Malaysia through the weekend, while Thailand’s meteorological agency predicts “very heavy rain” in the coming week.
As climate change exacerbates weather patterns, Southeast Asia faces mounting challenges in mitigating the impacts of severe monsoons. For now, the focus remains on saving lives and providing relief to those affected by the devastation.
Lead image courtesy of MB Kelantan Ustaz Mohd Nassuruddin Haji Daud/Facebook
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