FLASH UPDATE #1 – Flooding in Malaysia and Southern Thailand
Countries under monitoring: Malaysia and Thailand
OVERVIEW: Continuous heavy rains brought by the northeast monsoon since the last week have caused floods and flash floods over the southern region of Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia as reported by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) Thailand and Agensi Pengurusan Bencana Negara (NADMA) Malaysia.
MALAYSIA
IMPACTS: According to NADMA, as of 28 Nov 1500 HRS UTC+7, 25 districts in seven states (Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Perak, Perlis, Sarawak, and Terengganu) have been affected by floods, with a significant increase in the number of displaced population to 52,360 (15.7K families), from 7,290 persons on 27 Nov 1500 HRS UTC+7. Authorities have activated 385 evacuation centres to support the displaced population. The two most severely affected states are Kelantan (36.6K IDPs) and Terengganu (14.1K IDPs). NADMA reports 4 flood-related deaths since 27 Nov.
RESPONSE: The District Disaster Management Committee and the State Disaster Management Committee have been activated in the flood-affected states to ensure that Temporary Evacuation Centers are equipped with sufficient basic facilities and to coordinate all response activities involving various agencies. NADMA ensures that all agencies enhance their preparedness and coordination to face disasters at all levels. Food supplies and logistics at each ECs are sufficient, and the logistics and storage facilities for disaster aid provided by the Department of Social Welfare (JKM). The National Disaster Control Center (NDCC), which operates 24/7, continuously monitors the weather and flooding situation. Disaster warnings are communicated to Response Agencies and District Officers from time to time.
THAILAND
IMPACTS: According to DDPM Thailand, as of 28 Nov, floodinghas been reported over the Southern Region of Thailand. A total of 136,219 households affected in Satun, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla, Pattani, Narathiwat, and Yala Provinces were reported by DDPM Thailand.
RESPONSE: Relevant authorities in the affected areas are providing assistance and relief items to the affected people. The DDPM has mobilised operational teams and equipment, such as water pumps, long-distance water pumping vehicles, evacuation vehicles, drinking water production vehicles, flat-bottomed boats with engines, and one KA-32 disaster prevention and relief helicopter, along with the Team, to provide assistance to the affected people. Provincial disaster prevention and mitigation offices have been instructed to coordinate with local administrative organisations and relevant agencies to urgently assist the affected people, including conduct survey and data collection on the impacts and damages. The DDPM continue to closely monitor the situation and provide assistance. Continuous monitoring and provision of regular updates and advisories are being conducted by the Thailand Meteorological Department (TMD) and DDPM.
ANTICIPATED RISK:
According to the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC), wetter conditions are expected over parts of the central equatorial region for the period of 25 Nov–1 Dec including Sabah, Sarawak, and Peninsular Malaysia as well as southern Thailand.
According to MetMalaysia, a strong monsoon is expected to continue until the end of Nov 2024. This condition has the potential to cause very heavy and continuous rain during this period. MetMalaysia also issued a Danger Level Continuous Rain Warning for the entire state of Terengganu and several districts in Kelantan and Pahang, as well as Severe & Alert Level Continuous Rain Warnings for several states in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah.
According to TMD, Northeast Monsoon still prevails over the Gulf of Thailand & Southern Region which may cause heavy rains in the Southern Region of Thailand.
The AHA Centre will continue to monitor for further developments and issue necessary updates.
DATA SOURCES
ASEAN Disaster Monitoring & Response System (DMRS), ASEAN Disaster Information Network (ADINet); Pacific Disaster Center (PDC Global); ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC);
Malaysia: NADMA, NDCC, METMalaysia;
Thailand: DDPM, TMD;
Verified news media agencies
