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Malaysia: Floods - Aug 2021

Statut
Passé
Pays
Malaisie
Types de catastrophes
Inondation
+ 2

Yan, Kedah was faced with a flash flood from the foothill of Mount Jerai (Gunung Jerai). The flash flood happened on Wednesday, 18 August 2021 at 5.30 pm (Local Malaysian Time). The heavy downpour caused water surges and landslides on Gunung Jerai that later hit Yan, Kuala Muda, and Bandar Baharu district in Kedah with muddy flash floods. The surrounding location of Gunung Jerai Resort was severely damaged. Difficulty in road access from the affected flash flood sites hampered the search and rescue of the casualties believed to have drowned and been swept away by the strong current. The flash floods have affected approximately 879 families (4,395 people) in the affected area of Yan district and 86 families (430 people) in Kubang Pasu district. The data collected is based on the district office in Yan and Kuala Muda as of 22 August 2021.

The Government opened two evacuation centres and hosted 43 people for short-term assistance. Currently, the evacuation centres had been closed. Out of 4,825 people affected by the flash flood, only 43 people went to the evacuation centres. People from the affected flash flood villages were hesitant to evacuate to the centres due to the fear of COVID-19 transmission. COVID-19 cases in the Yan district are considered high at the state level. For Yan district, 395 positive COVID-19 cases have been reported, and in Kuala Muda district, figures have reached 6,285 cases. Carrying sediment and large tree trunks, the flash floods impacted nearby houses in the Kampung Pematang Keramat. Most of the houses in this village are 2 km from the primary impact area of the foothill of Gunung Jerai. The affected houses are covered in mud, some with minor damage.

Villages affected by the flash flood were covered with mud and sand on the houses since 18 August 2021. Of the three affected locations, the Yan district is the most affected location. Heavy rains poured a massive volume of water down a stream from Gunung Jerai, sweeping tree trunks and rocks through two km of the surrounding area. The ensuing floods destroyed local village livestock and vegetable farms. Local authorities have confirmed six deaths.

In Kuala Muda district, most areas were covered with muddy water, tree trunks, and large rocks from the side of the river. Despite mud covering houses, flood victims did not report heavy damage. People did, however, report damage to several home appliances and furniture. The walls of a few residences are damaged, smashed by rocks from the nearby river. Most of the houses are built with concrete structures and wood materials.

A river overflowed in Banda Baharu district, as heavy downpour caused pressure on a dam, flooded its water capacity and impacted poor drainage systems. Houses in this district were covered with muddy water with 25 people affected, and local authorities are providing assistance to this district.

In the two districts of Yan and Kuala Muda, flash floods destroyed farmland and plantations. Livestock loss such as chickens, goats, and cows was also reported, which are critical livelihood or safety net assets for the affected. Some farmers reportedly lost harvests due to the flood, which is significant as the rice harvest is due later this month. Kedah state is currently experiencing the third wave of COVID-19, with cases escalating in the last two weeks, reaching 1,538 new cases per day and 24,306 active cases. Kedah state is the seventh highest state with COVID-19 cases in Malaysia, reporting 89,027 cases as of 26 August 2021. In Malaysia, a Movement Control Order (MCO) is still ongoing, and the country has a COVID-19 recovery plan with different phases. Currently, Kedah state still falls under the category of phase 1, where daily cases are still high. (IFRC, 30 Aug 2021)

Heavy rain has been affecting Malaysia, in particular Johor, Sarawak, and Sabah States, since 3 September, causing floods that have resulted in population displacements and damage. In Malaysia, the ASEAN Disaster Information Network (ADINet) reports 255 displaced people, of which 96 in Johor, 84 in Sarawak and 75 more across Sabah. (ECHO, 7 Sep 2021)

Since 15 September, heavy rain has been affecting several areas of Sabah State (northern Borneo Island, Malaysia), causing floods and landslides and leading to casualties. Media report that in Penampang District, at least two people died following a landslide event, and 32 people have been sheltered at an evacuation centre. The most affected areas in Sabah include Kota Kinabalu, Penampang and Putatan - Districts, where floodwater has damaged a number of houses and road sections. (ECHO, 17 Sep 2021)

Widespread floods have been reported in two states of northwestern Malaysia over the past few days, resulting in evacuations. According to the ASEAN Disaster Information Network (ADINet), 262 people have been evacuated in 10 evacuation centres, of which 179 in Kedah State and 83 in Perak State. On 30 September - 1 October, heavy rain with thunderstorms is forecast across the affected states. (ECHO, 30 Sep 2021)

Heavy rain has been affecting most of Peninsular Malaysia (in particular Kedah, Malacca, Negeri Sembilan, and Selangor States as well as Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory) since 20 October, causing flash floods and mudflows that have resulted in several evacuations and damage. Media report more than 1,000 evacuated people: 600 across Malacca, 267 in Selangor, over 160 in Kedah, 25 in Negeri Sembilan, and 14 in Perak as of 22 October. In addition, media report around 260 damaged houses. (ECHO, 22 Oct 2021)

Heavy rain hit the Districts of Baling and Pendang (Kedah State, northern Peninsular Malaysia) over the past few days, causing floods. According to the ASEAN Disaster Information Network (ADINet), 219 people have been evacuated in four evacuation centres. (ECHO, 28 Oct 2021)

Heavy rainfall across South-East Asia since 31 October has led to floods and landslides in Malaysia according to ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre). 890 people are displaced in 17 evacuation centres as a result of flooding across Perlis, Kedah, Johor, and Melaka States. (ECHO, 4 Nov 2021)