Volunteer Saifulamri Tumiran maneuvers his boat to rescue pets and livestock stranded during the flood in Yong Peng, Johor, Malaysia, on March 4, 2023. – Reuters file photo used for illustrative purposes only.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced on Thursday that more than 37,000 people have been impacted by flooding resulting from heavy rains in six Malaysian states. Anwar informed parliament that 322 temporary shelters have been established in Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, Perlis, Johor, and Perak to accommodate those displaced by the floods. The northeastern state of Kelantan, which borders Thailand, has been the most severely affected, with 30,582 people from 9,223 families impacted, according to Anwar.
Flooding is a frequent occurrence along Malaysia's eastern coast during the annual monsoon season from October to March, leading to the displacement of thousands each year. The Meteorological Department issued a red alert warning on Wednesday for continuous heavy rain, indicating dangerous levels of precipitation, in Kelantan, Pahang, and Terengganu states. The rain is expected to persist until Friday.
The National Disaster Management Agency has been instructed to mobilize all federal and state agencies to ensure the safety of flood victims and residents throughout the monsoon period, Anwar stated.
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