Monsoon devastation: 12 dead, 135,000 displaced in Malaysia, Thailand
Floods in northern Malaysia and southern Thailand have killed at least 12 people, and 135,000 residents have had to leave their homes. Authorities warn that the number of casualties may rise.
In Malaysia, about 122,000 people have had to evacuate their homes, while in Thailand, around 13,000 people were evacuated. According to authorities, the disaster affected over half a million households in Thailand. Two hospitals in Thailand were closed due to the flood threat, and a state of emergency was declared in six provinces.
In Malaysia, the most significant damage was recorded in the state of Kelantan in the northeast, although eight other states were also affected. The number of evacuees has already surpassed that of 2014, when the country experienced one of its worst floods in history.
Deadly monsoon rains
Malaysian meteorological services warn that heavy rains may last until Sunday. In Thailand, forecasts indicate that the rainfall could continue into next week.
Monsoon rains are typical for this time of year in both countries, and floods are not unusual. In 2021, 14 people died in Malaysia, and a decade earlier in Thailand, the disaster claimed over 500 lives and damaged millions of homes.
