Monsoon havoc: Thousands displaced in Malaysia and Thailand
Floods in the north of Malaysia and the south of Thailand have claimed at least 12 lives, and 135,000 people have had to leave their homes. Authorities warn that the death toll may rise.
In Malaysia, approximately 122,000 people have been displaced, while about 13,000 people have been evacuated in Thailand, although according to the authorities, over half a million households have been affected there. Due to the flood threat, two hospitals in Thailand have also been closed, and a state of emergency has been declared in six provinces.
In Malaysia, the most significant damage has been recorded in the state of Kelantan in the northeast, although eight other states have also been affected. The number of evacuees has already surpassed that of 2014, when the country experienced one of the worst floods in its history.
Deadly monsoon rains
Malaysian meteorological services warn that heavy rains may continue until Sunday. In Thailand, forecasts indicate that the rainfall could persist until next week.
Monsoon rains are typical for this time of year in both countries, and floods are not uncommon. In 2021, 14 people died in Malaysia, and a decade earlier in Thailand, the disaster claimed over 500 lives and damaged millions of homes.
