Minister urges caution as flooding hits various states

Environment and Water Minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man has urged caution after areas in at least four states experienced flash floods yesterday.

He said water rose in locations in Johor, Malacca, Pahang, and Kelantan after several hours of rain yesterday.

“Heavy rain, strong winds, and thunderstorms are expected until the end of October. Beware,” he said in a Facebook post today.

Photos uploaded in the same post showed cars and buildings submerged by rapid waters.

Some photos also showed rescue personnel wading in waist-deep floodwaters to evacuate residents.

He said the Fire and Rescue Department, Civil Defence Force, and other agencies have distributed aid and assisted residents to move to flood evacuation centres.

Earlier this week, caretaker prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the government has planned for possible flooding during the general election called on Nov 19 but believes it will not happen on a large scale.

“The monsoon (floods) might happen in Pahang or Kelantan, and Terengganu, and although sometimes West Coast states like Selangor are also hit, it does not occur simultaneously throughout Malaysia. We hope it won’t be severe.

“If flooding occurs in certain areas and states, the personnel to be deployed this time will be sufficient to safeguard the interests of the people, especially those affected by floods,” he said.

He said the government has allocated resources including 7,000 personnel, 1,816 boats, 1,810 four-wheel-drive vehicles, 1,596 lorries, and 19 air assets for flood relief.

Scientists including those from the Meteorological Department had earlier warned against holding the general election during the northeast monsoon period as it could complicate disaster management efforts.

In December last year, torrential rain throughout Peninsular Malaysia for three days caused flooding across various states, affecting more than 120,000 people and killing 54.

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