MALAYSIA faced flood-related losses amounting to RM933.4 million in 2024, equivalent to 0.05 per cent of the country’s nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP), according to the Special Report on the Impact of Floods in Malaysia released by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) today.
In the report, Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin highlighted the significant financial toll of the floods across various sectors.
The most substantial losses were recorded in residential properties, which surged to RM372.2 million, a notable increase from RM168.3 million in 2023. Public infrastructure and assets followed with RM303.4 million in damages, down from RM380.7 million the previous year.
"The agriculture sector’s losses rose to RM185.2 million, up from RM120.6 million in 2023, while losses in business premises amounted to RM54.1 million, slightly up from RM53.2 million the year before," Dr Mohd Uzir explained in his statement.
The report further highlighted that vehicle damages in 2024 amounted to RM17.3 million, a decrease from RM22.3 million in 2023, and the manufacturing sector bore the least impact, with losses recorded at RM1.2 million, down from RM10.3 million in 2023.
Severe Losses in Kelantan, Terengganu, and Kedah
Dr Mohd Uzir noted that the states of Kelantan, Terengganu, and Kedah were the hardest hit by the flooding, particularly in housing and business sectors, while vehicle and manufacturing sectors faced relatively lower losses.
In terms of residential property damage, Kelantan recorded the highest losses, amounting to RM139 million, followed by Terengganu at RM103.1 million, and Kedah at RM54 million.
"The districts most affected in Kelantan were Pasir Mas, with RM46.2 million in damages, followed by Tumpat at RM31.7 million, and Kota Bharu at RM19.2 million," Dr Mohd Uzir stated.
"In Terengganu, the district of Besut incurred the highest damage at RM38.4 million, followed by Setiu at RM16.1 million and Kemaman at RM14.2 million."
Kedah's hardest-hit districts were Kota Setar and Kubang Pasu, with losses of RM22 million and RM9.4 million, respectively, while Baling suffered RM6.9 million in damage.
In the business premises sector, Kelantan again faced the largest financial impact, with losses of RM27.1 million, followed by Terengganu with RM16.4 million, and Kedah at RM4.3 million.
Additionally, Terengganu reported the highest vehicle damage losses at RM5.8 million, with Kelantan and Kedah following at RM4 million and RM2.1 million, respectively.
Preparedness and Response to Flooding
The report also included findings from a case study conducted by DOSM on the preparedness of flood victims. Dr Mohd Uzir revealed that 65 per cent of flood victims received assistance within 48 hours of the disaster.
He also noted that more than 45 per cent of individuals impacted by the floods had prepared for potential disasters by stocking up on essential supplies.
"Moreover, 17 per cent of flood victims had taken the precautionary step of subscribing to insurance for financial security in the event of property damage or loss," he added.
"However, less than 0.1 per cent of victims were without insurance coverage. Interestingly, 25 per cent of flood victims did not make any preparations, potentially increasing the risk of difficulty during and after the floods."
The report sheds light on the ongoing challenges Malaysia faces in managing flood risks, highlighting the need for greater awareness and preparedness to mitigate the impact of future natural disasters. - March 19, 2025
