More than 50,000 people have been forced from their homes in Malaysia and at least seven have died, officials said on Monday.
A weekend of torrential rains flooded rivers, flooded towns and villages and cut off major roads, leaving many motorists stranded in their vehicles for hours.
The number of evacuees across the country rose to nearly 51,000 on Monday, according to official figures, with the worst-hit region being the eastern state of Pahang, where around 32,000 were forced from their homes.
Selangor, the country’s richest and most populous state, which is around the capital Kuala Lumpur, has been badly hit – which is unusual because it usually avoids the worst monsoon floods.
The Star newspaper quoted fire and rescue officials as saying that seven people have been confirmed dead in Selangor. With others reported missing, the death toll is likely to rise.
Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yacoub said a month’s rain fell in one day in Selangor, adding that thousands of emergency service and military personnel had been deployed to aid in rescue efforts.
Student Ailavarsi Magesuran recalled the moment his house in Selangor’s Shah Alam town was flooded in the early hours of Sunday.
“Water entered our house from back and forth, leaving us trapped inside,” the 21-year-old told AFP.
“I was really afraid we would drown. We’ve been living here since 1995, and never experienced a flood.”
A relative saved his family from the truck.
The rain had largely stopped by Monday, leaving residents to return to damaged properties and pick up the pieces.
Southeast Asian countries are hit by floods every year during the monsoon season, but over the weekend they were the worst of the year.
Global warming has been linked to worsening flooding. Since a warmer climate holds more water, extreme rainfall from climate change increases the risk and intensity of flooding.
read all breaking news, today’s fresh news And coronavirus news Here.
,