How Many Evacuees Have Been Affected by the Floods in Malaysia?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Over 21,000 evacuees have been reported due to flooding.
- Kelantan is the most severely impacted state.
- Government mobilization includes 100,000 personnel to aid affected areas.
- Ongoing assessments for flood mitigation infrastructure are being conducted.
- National examinations will continue as planned.
Kuala Lumpur, Nov 26 (NationPress) The total number of evacuees in Malaysia has surged past 21,000 as of Wednesday, impacting 10 states nationwide due to the ongoing northeast monsoon season, as reported by officials.
Kelantan has been the most severely affected region, with 9,642 individuals seeking shelter in 52 flood relief centers as of 9 a.m. local time.
Other significantly impacted areas include Perak with 4,331 evacuees, Selangor with 2,909, and Kedah with 2,837. The remaining evacuees are dispersed across the country.
According to Selangor's Chief Minister Amirudin Shari, the flood mitigation strategies in certain parts of the state failed to manage the overwhelming water levels and unusual weather patterns, as reported by Xinhua.
"The state government is currently assessing subsequent actions that need to be implemented to guarantee the safety of residents, which includes enhancing flood mitigation facilities and immediate measures for the welfare of those affected," he stated.
Additionally, Ambun Dindang, deputy director-general of the Malaysian Meteorological Department, mentioned that the floods during the northeast monsoon are influenced not only by rainfall but also by land-related aspects such as changes in land use, population density, and the efficiency of local drainage systems.
Earlier this week, officials reported that flooding had displaced over 10,000 individuals in the country, with Kelantan facing the worst impact.
Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, the Chief Secretary to the Government, noted that over 100,000 personnel and resources from various agencies have been mobilized to assist the states grappling with severe flooding during this monsoon period.
Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh confirmed that national-level examinations will continue as planned, with authorities having established contingency plans to ensure a safe environment for examination candidates.
Earlier, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed his satisfaction with the preparedness of the National Disaster Management Agency in addressing the flooding crisis and has urged all agencies to intensify their efforts to support affected communities.