SHAH ALAM - Continuous heavy rain across northern Peninsular Malaysia has worsened flooding in Perak, Kedah and Penang, forcing thousands to evacuate and prompting multiple road and facility closures.
The flood situation in Perak deteriorated overnight, with 2,171 people from 759 families moved to 22 temporary relief centres as of 8am today, according to the State Disaster Management Committee Secretariat.
Of these, 1,784 people were sheltered in 19 centres in Larut, Matang and Selama (LMS), while 387 residents were housed in three centres in Manjung.
Continuous rain since yesterday morning inundated over 35 villages in LMS and nine areas in Manjung.
Rescue operations were being conducted by the Civil Defence Force, Fire and Rescue Department, police and the Social Welfare Department.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) warned of ongoing rain and thunderstorms across LMS, Kerian, Manjung, Perak Tengah, Bagan Datuk and Hilir Perak.
Three rivers; Kolam Bukit Merah, Sungai Kampar and Sungai Slim were at dangerous levels.
Meanwhile, the Taiping Rest and Recreation (R&R) area along the North–South Expressway remained closed due to flooding.
Plus Malaysia Berhad said in a post on X that the closure “was necessary to ensure the safety of all highway users.”
Meanwhile in Kedah, seven rivers, in Sik, Yan, Baling, Pendang and Bandar Baharu have surpassed danger levels.
The Department of Irrigation and Drainage said water levels continued to rise. Several areas, including Kodiang, Changlun, Kulim, Pendang and Sik, have reported flooding.
About 50 residents from 23 families in Kampung Huma, Tanjung Dawai were relocated to the SJKC Choong Cheng relief centre after a high-tide flood.
Kuala Muda Civil Defence Force officer Capt (PA) Amirul Asyraf Mohamad Mayadin said the centre was opened at 6pm yesterday.
Village Head Council chairman Ahmad Fauzi Othman said large waves crashed over the previously installed wall and more homes have been damaged due to coastal erosion.
Similarly in Penang, floods struck the southwest district, including Teluk Kumbar, Sungai Batu, Bayan Lepas and Kampung Seronok, after nearby rivers overflowed.
Bayan Lepas assemblyman Datuk Azrul Mahathir Aziz said the existing drainage systems were unable to cope with the volume of water, despite low tide conditions.
He said a district operations room had been activated and urged residents to remain calm and follow safety instructions.
Widespread alerts remain
MetMalaysia has also issued a thunderstorm and heavy rain warning until 1am (Oct 24) for several states, including Perak, Kedah, Pahang, Sarawak, Sabah, Perlis, Penang and the Federal Territory of Labuan.
The department said affected areas in Perak included Kerian, Larut, Matang and Selama, Hulu Perak, Kuala Kangsar, Manjung, Kinta, Perak Tengah, Kampar, Bagan Datuk and Hilir Perak.
In Pahang, it covers Cameron Highlands, Lipis, Raub, Jerantut, Maran, and Kuantan.
In Sarawak, the areas affected included Sri Aman, Sarikei, Sibu, Mukah, Kapit, Bintulu and Miri, while in Sabah, the warning covers Sipitang, Kuala Penyu, Beaufort, Tawau, Kunak, Semporna, Lahad Datu, Sandakan, Tongod and Kinabatangan.