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MENTAKAB, Malaysia: At least six people died and nearly 50,000 were evacuated in Malaysia after monsoon rains hit the country’s east coast, authorities said on Friday (Jan.8), causing what residents described as the worst flooding. in half a century.
Authorities have stepped up rescue operations after locals complained they had to fend for themselves earlier this week.
Heavy rains continued to hit the region on Friday, increasing the number of people leaving their homes to more than 47,000, authorities said.
Monsoon rains off the east coast of Malaysia have caused flooding and forced the evacuation of nearly 50,000 people. (Photo: AFP / Mohd RASFAN)
“I have lost everything. The water has covered my roof,” Tan Kong Leng, a 59-year-old factory worker, told AFP with tears in his eyes.
READ: Malaysian villagers escape flooding in bulldozer as 28,000 evacuated
Floods hit the region during the rainy season every year and regularly cause massive evacuations; But those in the affected areas say this year is the worst in decades.
Many roads have been closed, including the main highway linking the East Coast states.
The worst affected state is Pahang, where some 27,000 people have been evacuated in recent days, according to the department of social welfare.
In a state village cut off by floods, residents were evacuated in a bulldozer on Wednesday, while others were forced to swim in deep water.
In a village in the worst affected state, people had to be evacuated in an excavator on January 6, 2021 (Photo: AFP / Mohd RASFAN).
Tan, the factory worker, and his wife took refuge in their plywood factory. They had only a few minutes to put their clothes in their car and flee to higher ground before the rapidly rising waters engulfed their home.
“I’m sad. All my accessories and accessories are destroyed. My biggest fear is that it will rain more in the next few days. Look! There are dark clouds moving fast,” he said.
READ: Body of student who disappeared amid Johor floods found in Kluang
READ: Johor Floods: Over 6,500 Evacuated; The man may have drowned after the car left
In one of the worst affected districts of Pahang, residents complained that narrow, garbage-filled drains were contributing to the flood.
Mentakab resident Muhammad Fadzil Wahab said that he and other locals have formed their own patrol units to prevent home burglaries.
“We explored the entire flooded town at night with our small boats and flashlights,” he told AFP.
“My family members are safe in the evacuation centers.”
In addition to the complexity of rescue efforts, Malaysia is experiencing a surge in coronavirus cases, reporting its largest daily increase on Thursday.
But Fadzil said government aid has started to step up, including military ships and trucks.
“Thanks to Allah, food, boats and medical assistance are now available,” he said.
