Malaysia is currently grappling with severe flooding that has displaced over 150,000 individuals across the states of Kelantan and Terengganu, marking a new record for displacements in the country. The floods have resulted in six confirmed fatalities, including a one-year-old boy, and have caused approximately $244 million in damages [3d857f7c].
The heavy rains, which began earlier this week, are typical for this time of year as Malaysia enters its northeast monsoon season, which generally lasts from November to March. This year's monsoon has been exacerbated by the La Niña phenomenon, leading to warnings of more rain expected from December 8 to 14 [3d857f7c]. Kelantan, which is Malaysia's poorest state with a median income of $806, has been particularly hard hit, accounting for a significant portion of the total displacements, while nearly 35,000 people have been evacuated in Terengganu [84b3d7a2][3d857f7c].
In response to the crisis, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced government efforts for immediate repairs and compensation to those affected. The ongoing situation highlights the vulnerability of Malaysia to seasonal flooding, prompting calls for improved emergency response strategies and infrastructure resilience to better manage future disasters [3d857f7c]. The floods have submerged around 38,000 hectares of paddy fields, raising concerns about agricultural impacts and food security in the region [3d857f7c].