Everything You Need to Know About the Severe Flooding in M’sia

With COVID-19 still knocking around, the least the universe could do would be to put all other disasters on hold.

But, of course, it’d never do that.

As we’ve seen during this year alone, countries putting all their efforts into dealing with the coronavirus have been hit with natural disasters such as earthquakes and flooding.

This time, the unfortunate country is Malaysia.

One Month’s Worth of Rainfall Fell in a Single Day 

Some Malaysia residents who had never experienced floods suddenly found themselves knee-deep in water in their own homes as severe flooding hit eight states in the country.

Over 30,000 people have been evacuated from their homes and flooded roads have left many motorists stranded.

The worst-hit state is Selangor, where the country’s capital—Kuala Lumpur—is located. 10,000 in the state have been forced to flee their homes.

And no Selangor resident—not even the Prime Minister—saw it coming.

“The amount of rain that fell in Selangor yesterday … what fell in one day would usually fall in one month,” Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said yesterday (19 Dec).

He promised that the government would set aside RM100 million for house and infrastructure repairs. They will also provide financial aid to affected households.

Some bus routes in and around the capital and trains to Klang have been suspended, while taps are expected to run dry in Selangor for tens of thousands of people—including in KL—due to disrupted operations at three water treatment plants.

Some Trapped in Vehicles, Evacuated Residents Moved to Relief Centres

Due to the flooding, some roads have simply become impassable. As a result, dozens of residents have been forced to sleep in their cars for the night.

Some roads were even submerged in 2m- to 3m-deep floodwaters since late Friday night (17 Dec). Rescue efforts for those trapped in their vehicles are still underway.

Those evacuated from their flooded homes have been moved to relief centres, where they’re currently being sheltered.

The Prime Minister said he had visited several of the relief centres, “to ensure the safe condition of the victims”.

In a Facebook post, he said that this kind of heavy downpour comes “once every 100 years”.

He added that he’s “directed all ministries to double up efforts in helping flood operations especially in the severely affected areas as soon as possible”.

Doctors and nurses at these relief centres will be provided with face masks, sanitiser and medication, and the authroities will ensure that COVID-19 tests are carried out so displaced residents are safe from infection.

Malaysia’s worst flooding came in 2014, when 118,000 people fled their homes.

Read Also:

• 9 Facts About Wang Leehom’s Response to His Ex-Wife & His Ex-Wife’s Immediate Response
• Wang Lei Sold Over $1 Million Worth of Products in a 2-Hour Livestream from Paris Gucci Store

Featured Image: Facebook (Sina Car Care)