Society

In late November 2024, Malaysia faced intense rainfall brought on by the Northeast Monsoon, leading to widespread flooding across nine states: Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, Pahang, Negeri Sembilan, Johor, Perak, Melaka, and Perlis. The severe downpour caused extensive damage to livelihoods, homes, and livestock, profoundly affecting the impacted communities.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MET Malaysia) has predicted persistent adverse weather conditions, including thunderstorms, heavy rain, and strong winds, across Peninsular Malaysia from December 6 to 9, 2024. These conditions are likely to worsen the ongoing flooding, affecting more people and further complicating emergency response and recovery efforts. Continuous heavy rainfall has already caused river water levels to exceed critical danger thresholds, heightening the risk of river overflows that could flood surrounding areas.

The unrelenting rainfall has caused widespread destruction, affecting not only homes but also vital infrastructure. Roads, airports, and railways, especially in the East Coast states, have been heavily impacted, disrupting intercity connections and hindering relief efforts. The combined effects of flooding and landslides highlight the critical need for improved mitigation measures and coordinated response strategies.

Estimated loss in 2024 Flood Event

Malaysia is bracing for its worst floods in a decade as heavier-than-anticipated monsoon rains have triggered severe flooding, resulting in three fatalities and displacing over 90,000 people.

According to the National Disaster Command Center's online portal, 94,778 individuals from more than 28,000 families across nine states have been evacuated to 527 temporary shelters. The northeastern state of Kelantan, bordering Thailand, has been the hardest hit, with 63,761 residents displaced, followed by Terengganu with 22,511 evacuations.

Flooding is a recurring issue in parts of Malaysia during the annual monsoon season, which begins in November and can extend until March. The Meteorological Department has forecasted between five and seven episodes of heavy rainfall during this period.

History of flood event in Malaysia (2014 until 2023)

In total since 2014 until 2023, estimated loss during flood in Malaysia are RM 14 billion. The biggest loss due to flooding occurred in 2021, with an estimated loss is RM 6.1 billion. In that year, the most affected sectors were public infrastructure (RM 2 billion) and living quarters for the victims (RM 1.6 billion).

On 1 Dec 2024, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced an additional immediate allocation for Kelantan and Terengganu, with RM25 million for each state, in the wake of the severe floods that have hit them. He made the announcement after visiting flood victims at the PPS Kampung Telaga, Setiu, which currently houses 269 evacuees.