Malaysia flooding forces over 120,000 from homes

In Malaysia, heavy rainfall has led to severe flooding, forcing over 120,000 individuals to evacuate their homes. Tragically, three lives have been lost due to the floods, and there are concerns that this number may increase as the heavy rain continues and storm warnings remain in effect. Thousands of emergency service workers have been deployed to assist in rescuing those stranded by the rising waters, and shelters are being established to provide safe refuge for those affected. Videos circulating on social media depict cars and homes submerged in water, with individuals navigating through waist-deep floodwaters. The flooding began earlier this week and is primarily affecting the northeastern state of Kelantan, which shares a border with Thailand. According to the National Disaster Management Agency, 63% of the evacuees are from Kelantan, highlighting the severity of the situation in that region. The number of displaced individuals has already surpassed the figures from the catastrophic floods of 2014, which were among the worst in the country's history. The disaster agency has set up 679 emergency shelters to accommodate those in need. Other states impacted by the flooding include Terengganu, Kedah, Negeri Sembilan, Perlis, Selangor, Johor, Melaka, and Perak. The Prime Minister's office has dispatched provisions for disaster management to the state governments of Terengganu and Kelantan. On Friday, the Prime Minister instructed his cabinet members to refrain from taking leave so they can concentrate on addressing the disaster. In neighboring Thailand, six provinces have also declared a disaster, with floods affecting over 240,000 households, as reported by the Interior Ministry. The army has been mobilized to assist in rescuing those in need. Malaysia's monsoon season typically begins in November, and flooding is a common occurrence during this time. In 2021, the monsoon floods resulted in the deaths of at least 14 individuals.