Malaysia – Severe Storm and Floods Leave 7 Dead, 10,000 Displaced

At least 7 people have died and over 10,000 displaced after floods swept through the northern states of Penang and Kedah in peninsular Malaysia.

Torrential rain fell from 03 November, 2017. A weather station near Kepala Batas in Penang recorded 946 mm of rain between 03 and 06 November, with 458 mm of that total falling in 24 hours to 06 November. Wide areas of the state were also hit by strong winds.

As many as 7,412 people have been forced from their homes in Penang. The displaced are staying in 41 emergency centres set up by authorities. In the neighbouring state of Kedah, 3,839 people have evacuated their homes and are staying in 23 relief centres. At least 7 people have died, according to local media reports.

Penang Chief Minister of Penang, Lim Guan Eng said that some areas of Penang Island were under 3 or 4 metres of water. He described the flooding and storm as the worst in Penang’s history and said the storm was part of a weather system brought by Typhoon Damrey currently affecting parts of Vietnam.

Military personnel have been deployed to assist with rescues, evacuations and clean up operations. The Chief Minister said that, with help from the federal government, the situation was under control and at the moment there was no need to declare a state of emergency.

Malaysia suffered severe flooding from December 2014 to January 2015 which claimed 21 lives and displaced around 200,000 people.

Rainfall

Figures according to Malaysia’s Department of Irrigation and Drainage for a 24 hour period:

04 November 2017

• Lahar Ikan Mati (Seberang Perai Utara dstrict) – 355 mm
• Sungai Jarak – 340 mm
• Ibu Bekalan Sungai Kulim – 230 mm
• Guar Kepayang – 220 mm
• Komplek Perai – 247 mm
• Permatang Rawa – 230 mm
• Pusat Pertanian Cerok Tok Kun – 234 mm
• Sungai Pengkalan Macang – 302 mm
• Taliair Besar Sungai Pinang – 206 mm

05 November 2017

• Lahar Ikan Mati – 458 mm

Rivers

• Sungai Dondang at Kolam (Northeast Penang Island District) – 21.94 metres as of late 04 November (danger level is 21.25)
• Sungai Pinang at Northeast Penang Island District – 3.42 metres (danger level is 2.70)

Social Media

Currently my beautiful Penang Island.
Feeling sad and worried.
Stay safe people.#penangflood pic.twitter.com/C3wzX3U6On

— Reeva R. (@GrandeuReeva) November 5, 2017

#penangflood . Everyone, please #stayalert . Avoid going out during #rain or when the sky is #cloudy . #penang #leongfongyi pic.twitter.com/IBsHnIjjvl

— Leong Fong Yi (@leongfongyi) November 5, 2017

https://twitter.com/kitaorangbaik/status/927073420344311808

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