Malaysia: Flash Floods - Dec 2021

The newly formed Tropical Depression TWENTYNINE made landfall in an area in Kemaman District (southern Terengganu State, north-eastern Peninsular Malaysia) in the late evening of 16 December, and of 17 December at 0.00 UTC [...] According to [AHA Centre], more than 380 people have been displaced to evacuation centres in Terengganu and Kelantan States. (ECHO, 17 Dec 2021)

According to media reports, at least two people died (one in Pahang and another in Terengganu States). The Malaysian National Disaster Command Centre (NDCC) reports 37,670 people (of which 18,119 in Selangor and 15,049 in Pehang States) displaced in 388 evacuations centres across eights States. Floodwaters have damaged a number of buildings, road and infrastructure, including three water treatment plants in Selangor. (ECHO, 20 Dec 2021)

The Malaysia’s Agensi Pengurusan Bencana (NADMA) has reported that 33 districts in eight states across Peninsular Malaysia (Perak, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Kelantan, Terengganu, and Pahang) are affected by floods [...] Around 70,000 people are directly impacted, with 67,629 persons (18,650 households) displaced in 470 evacuation centres. As of 23 December, 37 deaths have been reported, with some bodies still missing. [...] This flooding also significantly impacted people's livelihoods, hitting the state of Selangor and the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur hard, where the population density is highest in the country, and prolonged flooding is not the norm. Unofficial estimates place the economic losses at around USD 200 million. Dozens of roads and highways remain closed. There have been unscheduled water cuts and disruptions to the electricity supply. Search and rescue have been hampered by a lack of assets (boats and other vessels) to navigate through the waterways formed around high-density residential areas near low-lying flood basins, exacerbated by coordination issues between authorities. The situation is worsened in low-cost housing areas, where residents of single-storey linked houses do not have the option of moving themselves and their assets to the upper floors. There have been medical evacuations as the elderly and people with chronic diseases suffered from lack of food, running water, disrupted electricity supply and shortage of medication. (IFRC, 27 Dec 2021)

Since mid-December, floods and landslides caused by heavy rainfall have been affecting Malaysia, with an important impact on the local population. According to media reports, up to 50 people have died (of which 25 in Selangor, 21 in Pahang and four in Kelantan) and two others are missing. As of 3 January, the Malaysia National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) confirms that the States of Kelantan, Terengganu, Selangor, Pahang, Johor, Malacca, Negeri Sembilan and Sabah are still affected by floods, with 14,459 individuals taking shelter at 191 evacuation centres. (ECHO, 3 Jan 2022)

Over the past few days, heavy rainfall affected Pitas District in the Malaysian state of Sabah (northern Borneo Island), causing widespread floods. According to the ASEAN Disaster Information Network (ADINet), 311 people have been evacuated in three evacuation centres. (ECHO, 7 Feb 2022)

Since 13 February, floods have been affecting Pahang and Sabah States of Malaysia. According to the ASEAN Disaster Information Network (ADINet), 105 people have been displaced to evacuation centres in Raub District (western Pahang State), and Tongod District (central Sabah State). (ECHO, 16 Feb 2022)

Heavy rain and strong winds affected peninsular Malaysia over the past few days, causing floods and resulting in damage. According to the ASEAN Disaster Information Network (ADINET), at least 20,000 have been evacuated in 225 evacuation centres across three States of peninsular Malaysia (Kelantan, Pahang, and Terengganu). (ECHO, 28 Feb 2022)

On 6-7 March, floods caused by heavy rainfall were reported across central-western of Peninsular Malaysia. According to the ASEAN Disaster Information Network (ADINet), more than 1,290 people have been displaced to 14 evacuation centres across the States in Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, and Selangor. Particularly in Selangor, 1,020 people have been displaced, after floods affected the Districts of Gombak, Hulu Langat, Kuala Langat, Petaling and Sepang. (ECHO, 9 Mar 2022)

A landslide occurred in Hulu Langat District (Selangor State, western peninsular Malaysia) on 10 March, resulting in casualties and damage. The event has been triggered by heavy rain that has been affecting most of Malaysia since 5 March. According to the ASEAN Disaster Information Network (ADINet), four people have died and one person is still missing. At least 14 people have been displaced, 75 affected, and 15 houses damaged or destroyed. Flood events have been recorded in the States of Malacca, Negeri Sembilan and Selangor where almost 1,300 people have been sheltered in evacuation centres. (ECHO, 14 Mar 2022)

Heavy rainfall has been affecting southern Peninsular Malaysia since 18 March, causing floods that have resulted in displacements and damage. The ASEAN Disaster Information Network (ADINet) reports, as of 21 March, nearly 615 displaced people in Bentong District (western Pahang State, bordering with the Kuala Lumpur area). (ECHO, 21 Mar 2022)

Heavy rainfall has been affecting southeastern Peninsular Malaysia (in particular the Pahang State) since 10 May, causing floods that have resulted in evacuations and damage. Media report, as of 12 May, around 100 evacuated people and nearly 150 damaged houses across the Bentong District (north-east of the Kuala Lumpur area, Pahang State). (ECHO, 12 May 2022)