Thousands, including 61 babies, remain in flood evacuation centres

AS of 7 a.m. today, 2,193 flood victims remain in 33 temporary evacuation centres (PPS) across seven Malaysian states, according to the Department of Social Welfare’s (JKM) disaster portal, a decrease from 3,135 people recorded yesterday morning.

Perak hosts 11 operational centres, Perlis eight, Selangor six, Pahang three, Sarawak two, with one centre each in Kelantan and Sabah. Among the displaced, there are 708 men, 699 women, 727 children, 61 infants, 272 elderly, and 52 persons with disabilities.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued thunderstorm warnings across multiple regions, including Pahang, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Johor, Sarawak, Sabah, and the Federal Territory of Labuan, effective until 9 a.m. today.

Specific areas under alert include Jerantut and Maran in Pahang, Tangkak, Muar, and Mersing in Johor, Port Dickson, Rembau, and Tampin in Negeri Sembilan, Sabak Bernam and Kuala Selangor in Selangor, Kuching, Lundu, Samarahan, Betong, Mukah in Sarawak, and Kuala Penyu in Sabah.

Meanwhile, residents of Kampung Ulu Sungai, Raub, have been forced to return repeatedly to the PPS after heavy rainfall early Saturday morning, causing the third flood in the village since 24 November.

Captain Samasuddin Kambade, officer of the Raub Civil Defence Force, reported that 23 residents from six families were relocated to the Balai Raya temporary centre, reopened at 7.45 a.m., with ten homes affected by the latest flooding.

He added that authorities are still collecting data on affected families to determine the full scale of displacement.

“The situation is currently being handled by multiple agencies, including the police, fire and rescue department, JKM, RELA volunteers, and local village heads,” Captain Samasuddin said.

MetMalaysia also issued warnings when thunderstorms with rainfall exceeding 20 millimetres per hour are imminent or expected to persist for more than one hour. Each short-term alert remains valid for up to six hours from the time of issuance. - December 6, 2025