Thousands displaced by severe floods in Malaysia

Severe floods, resulting from torrential downpours over the last 4 days, have hit the states of Johor, Melaka, Negri Sembilan and Sarawak in Malaysia. Two deaths have been reported so far, and at least 1 600 people have been displaced.

Disaster management authorities have set up 24 evacuation centers across the affected areas.

Kuching area suffered the hardest strike as 1 361 people have been evacuated in Taman Malihah and Kampung Sungai in the state of Sarawak.

The Sungai Asahan and Sungai Cohong rivers overflew their banks on February 6, 2016, leaving 133 people displaced in Ledang, Johor. The overflowing Malacca River and flash floods resulting from heavy rainfall have affected 8 000 people across the districts of Alor Gajah and Jasin in Melaka.

The Negri Sembilan state has also been affected by extreme weather conditions, and 400 people were displaced, as of February 7.

72-hr rainfall accumulation as observed by GPM Core Observatory. Image credit: Google/NASA/JAXA GPM

132 mm (5.2 inches) of rainfall was recorded in Kuching, in a 24 hour period between February 8 and 9, while 68.2 mm (2.7 inches) was reported between February 7 and 8. Kuching received 63.6 mm (2.5 inches) between February 6 and 7, and 72.2 mm (2.8 inches) between February 5 and 6.

61.6 mm (2.4 inches) of rain fell in Sibu in a 24 hour period between February 7 and 8, and 46.8 mm (1.8 inches) between February 6 and 7. 67.8 mm (2.7 inches) was observed in Malacca between February 5 and 6.

Malaysian Meteorological Department issued no further warnings for heavy rain and strong winds as of February 9.

Elena Ugrin

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