NEARLY 25,000 people have been forced from their homes as worsening floods sweep across eight states, with authorities warning that continuous heavy rain is expected to persist in several of the hardest-hit areas.
The National Disaster Management Centre’s 6 a.m. situation report confirmed that 24,907 evacuees from 8,308 families are now sheltering in 142 temporary relief centres spread across 26 districts. The northern region and east coast continue to see the sharpest rises.
Kelantan remains the epicentre of the crisis, recording 9,525 evacuees housed in 40 centres throughout Tumpat, Kota Bharu, Bachok and Pasir Puteh. Tumpat still accounts for the largest number at 4,913, though officials there report a slight easing. Kota Bharu, Bachok and Pasir Puteh, however, continue to register increases.
Perlis follows closely with 5,968 evacuees sheltering in 18 centres. Conditions remain volatile, with several major roads in Kangar, Padang Besar, Mata Ayer and surrounding areas either fully or partially closed due to flooding or landslides.
In Perak, 4,184 people have been displaced and placed in 42 centres. Manjung, Hilir Perak and Bagan Datuk are among the districts experiencing rising numbers. Manjung alone has 1,705 evacuees, and several routes have been closed owing to landslides and flash floods.
Selangor has recorded 2,964 evacuees across 21 centres, notably in Kuala Selangor, Klang, Petaling and Sabak Bernam. While overall conditions remain stable, temporary closures have been enforced on parts of Jalan Robinson, Jalan Harmoni and Persiaran Puncak Alam due to rising waters.
Kedah has reported 2,043 evacuees, most of them in Kubang Pasu, with all 12 relief centres operating at full capacity.
Smaller but increasing numbers persist in other states. Terengganu has registered 131 evacuees, mainly in Besut and Marang, with Besut showing an upward trend. Penang has 50 evacuees in Seberang Perai Tengah, while Pahang has recorded 42 in Raub and Lipis.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has sustained multiple alerts for thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds, covering maritime zones off Perlis, Kedah, Penang, Perak, eastern Johor, Pahang, Kelantan, Terengganu, Sabah and Sarawak.
Continuous heavy rain warnings remain in effect for several districts in Kelantan, Terengganu, Perak and Pahang. In Kelantan, Tumpat, Pasir Mas, Kota Bharu, Bachok and Pasir Puteh have been placed under the highest category of continuous very heavy rain, classified as dangerous.
River monitoring networks show rising water levels in major rivers, including Sungai Semerak, Sungai Golok and Sungai Kelantan, as well as Sungai Batu Pahat in Johor. Several stations in Perlis and Terengganu have also recorded increases, signalling the possibility of further evacuations should rainfall persist. - November 26, 2025
