Floods Devastate Northern Malaysia and Southern Thailand
At least eight people have died and tens of thousands have been displaced due to severe flooding caused by torrential rains in northern Malaysia and southern Thailand. Officials reported that over 80,000 individuals have been evacuated to 467 temporary shelters across Malaysia, particularly in the states of Kelantan, Terengganu, and Sarawak, where four fatalities have been confirmed. In Thailand, two deaths occurred in Pattani province and another two in Songkhla province, with more than 240,000 families affected by the flooding, according to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.
The National Disaster Management Centre of Malaysia has mobilized search and rescue teams to assist in relief efforts, especially in the northeastern state of Kelantan, which borders Thailand. The region is currently experiencing heavy rainfall, a common occurrence during the northeast monsoon season that lasts from November to March. Meteorological services have warned that more heavy rains are expected, raising concerns about the potential for even more severe flooding. Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has indicated that this year's floods could surpass the severity of those in 2014, when over 100,000 people were displaced.
