FLASH UPDATE #2 – Flooding and Landslides in Peninsular Malaysia
Country under monitoring: Malaysia
OVERVIEW: Northeast Monsoon have caused a series of floods and landslides in several states of Malaysia. According MET Malaysia the Northeast Monsoon-related storms are expected to last until 25 Dec, and potentially bringing strong winds, big waves and continuous heavy rainfall in the northern and east coast states of the peninsula and east of Sabah. Agensi Pengurusan Bencana Negara (NADMA) Malaysia also reported that until 20 Dec 2022, at 1100 HRS UTC+7 there is a total of 9 persons still missing due to Landslides on 16 Dec 2022 in Batang Kali, Hulu Selangor, Selangor State.
IMPACTS: According to the ASEAN Disaster Monitoring and Response System (DMRS), heavy rainfall is still observed on 19 Dec 2022 in the eastern parts of Peninsular Malaysia. As of 20 Dec 2022, at 0500 HRS UTC+7, a total of 128 flooded areas and 15 landslides, and 5 roads and 3 bridges were reportedly damaged by Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR).
Flooding: As of 20 Dec 2022, 1200 HRS UTC+7, NADMA Malaysia has reported 20 districts in 5 states affected by floods with a total of 5 persons dead and 17,774 families/65,139 persons displaced in 464 evacuation centres including:
- Johor: 17 families/53 persons displaced in 3 evacuation centres over Segamat;
- Kelantan: 4 persons dead and 6,897 families/25,353 persons displaced in 133 evacuation centres over Bachok, Jeli, Kota Bharu, Kuala Krai, Machang, Pasir Mas, Pasir Puteh, Tanah Merah, and Tumpat;
- Pahang: 214 families/873 persons displaced in 8 evacuation centres over Kuantan;
- Perak: 17 families/54 persons displaced in 2 evacuation centres over Hilir Perak;
- Terengganu: 1 person dead and 10,629 families/38,806 persons displaced in 318 evacuation centres over Besut, Dungun, Hulu Terengganu, Kemaman, Kuala Nerus, Kuala Terengganu, Marang, and Setiu.
Landslides: As of 20 Dec 2022, a total of 94 people were affected (at the campsite in Batang Kali, Hulu Selangor, Selangor State), of which, 61 persons were rescued alive, 24 found dead, and 9 persons still missing as reported by NADMA Malaysia.
RESPONSE: Government of Malaysia deployed SMART (Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team) to respond to the disasters. Personnel from the Malaysian Armed Forces, Royal Malaysian Police, Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia, Malaysia Civil Defence Force and other agencies were mobilised to provide support and evacuation for the affected people. At about 1,5K personnel are mobilised in Kelantan State, and more than 800 personnel are mobiliesed in Terengganu State. Damage and impact assessments are on-going carried out by relevant authorities and agencies.
ANTICIPATED RISK:
- According to the analysis by Jabatan Mineral & Geosains (JMG) Malaysia, a total of 31 location has identified as a high-risk area for Landslide (including rain-induced landslides), 25 of which are located in Peninsular Malaysia.
On 20 Dec 22, at 1220 HRS UTC+7, MET Malaysia issued Continues Rain Danger warning for Terengganu, and Severe warning for Kelantan (Tumpat, Pasir Mas, Kota Bharu, Jeli, Tanah Merah, Bachok, Machang, Pasir Puteh and Kuala Krai), and Pahang (Kuantan, Pekan and Rompin) until Thursday, 22 Dec 2022. - According to the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC), Wetter conditions are predicted over parts of the western Maritime Continent, including Peninsular Malaysia until 25 Dec 2022.
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, JKR, JMG;
Verified news media agencies.
