Kelantan devastated by floods as Malaysia prepares for 'second wave'

More heavy rain expected from Dec 8 to 14; this year's deluge set to be worst in a decade

- Azril Annuar

KOTA BHARU - Shattered roads, displaced victims, homes destroyed beyond repair, cars swept away and communities cut off by rising flood waters.

These were among the scenes of devastation in Malaysia's northeastern state of Kelantan after it was hit by severe floods over the past couple of weeks, with six months' worth of rain falling in just five days across the east coast.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Dec 3 estimated infrastructure repair costs following the disaster at RM1 billion (S$304 million) for the country. The government has said it is considering providing compensation to those who lost their homes.

Now, Malaysians are bracing themselves for the so-called "second wave" of heavy rain expected from Dec 8 to 14, which could see a repeat of the chaos and devastation.

Officials have said 2024's annual deluge would be the worst in a decade, with high tides in the South China Sea preventing rivers swollen with rainwater from emptying quickly into the sea.

At the height of the "first wave" on Nov 30, more than 142,000 people were forced to seek temporary shelter in 10 of the 11 states in Peninsular Malaysia, with around 91,000 displaced in Kelantan alone. Only residents of Penang - both on the main island and mainland - were spared from being evacuated.

To date, six Malaysians have lost their lives due to the floods.

Kelantan, unfortunately, is often the worst-hit state during the annual monsoon season, with heavy rain falling from November to March.

The state is home to many large rivers, including Sungai Kelantan and Sungai Golok. Rivers swollen with rainwater quickly inundated villages in rural areas and even big towns.