Floods submerge towns and villages in Malaysia, forcing mass evacuations
Heavy rain and severe flooding in Malaysia have forced over 26 000 people to evacuate their homes, as rivers continue to rise above their danger marks. The southern state of Johor has been the worst hit, with more than 25 000 people moved to relief centers in schools and community halls. The country is experiencing its sixth episode of continuous heavy rain from the annual monsoon season that started in November, and the Meteorological Department has warned that the situation may continue until April.
The Air Panas weather station in the Segamat district of Malaysia recorded an astonishing 627 mm (24.69 inches) of rain from February 28 to March 1, 2023. Over 200 mm (7.87 inches) of rain fell in 29 locations of Johor state in just 19 hours on March 1, causing several rivers to rise above their danger marks.
The result has been widespread flooding, with roads collapsing and vehicles and homes being submerged in muddy waters. Rescue teams and boats have been deployed to evacuate families trapped on rooftops and bring them to safety.
The southern state of Johor has been the hardest hit, with over 25 000 people moved to relief centers in schools and community halls. Unfortunately, the flooding has already resulted in one death.
The National Flood Disaster Agency has issued warnings that 25 rivers nationwide have reached dangerous levels, and since November, there have been 102 landslides due to heavy rain.
The Meteorological Department has warned that the country could continue to experience heavy rain and flooding until April. In December 2022, tens of thousands of people were also evacuated due to flooding.
References:
1 Over 26,000 evacuated as floods hit Malaysia again; 1 dead – AP – March 2, 2023
2 Malaysia – 630mm of Rain Triggers Floods in Johor – FloodList – March 1, 2023
Featured image credit: Berita Harian (stillshot)
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