The Los Angeles Post
U.S. World Business Lifestyle
Today: April 13, 2025
Today: April 13, 2025

Thailand, Malaysia brace for fresh wave of floods as water levels ease

Thailand and Malaysia face worst floods in decades
December 02, 2024

By Rozanna Latiff and Orathai Sriring

KUALA LUMPUR/BANGKOK (Reuters) - Malaysia and Thailand are facing a second wave of heavy rain and potential flooding this week, authorities said on Monday, even as some displaced residents were able to return home and the worst floods in decades began receding in some areas.

Since last week, 27 people have died and more than half a million households in the neighbouring Southeast Asian countries have been hit by torrential rain and flooding that authorities say have been the most severe in years.  

The immediate situation has improved in some areas and water levels have eased, according to government data on Monday. 

In Malaysia, the number of people in evacuation shelters dropped to around 128,000 people, from 152,000 on Sunday, according to the disaster management agency. 

The Malaysian Meteorological Department on Monday forecast a wind convergence in the worst-hit states of Kelantan and Terengganu from Dec. 3 to 4, which it said would potentially bring thunderstorms and heavy rains during the period.

This would be followed by a monsoon surge from Dec. 8 to 14 across the Malaysian peninsular, it said.

The floods have destroyed homes, led to the suspension of rail links, and left businesses and farmers reeling, with more than 38,000 hectares of paddy fields damaged in major rice-producing areas in Malaysia.

Meanwhile, in southern Thailand, 434,000 households remain affected, its interior ministry said on Monday, down by about 100,000 from the weekend figure.

The government has provided food and supplies for those in the flood-hit areas, the ministry said, adding water levels in seven provinces were decreasing.

Thailand's Meteorological Department said people in the lower south should beware of heavy to very heavy rains and possible flash flooding and overflows, especially along foothills near waterways and lowlands, from Dec. 3-5.   

(Reporting by Rozanna Latiff in Kuala Lumpur and Orathai Sriring and Panarat Thepgumpanat in Bangkok; editing by John Mair, Martin Petty)

Related Articles

Kentucky 9-year-old dies walking to bus stop after being swept away by floodwaters School closings, power outages, flooded roads across Philadelphia region after storms move through Extreme rainfall brings life-threatening flooding to parts of central US already slammed by storms South and Midwest pounded by rains and floods while still reeling from tornadoes
Share This

Popular

Asia|Business|Europe|Political

UK will set 'high trust bar' for future Chinese investment after British Steel rescue, minister says

UK will set 'high trust bar' for future Chinese investment after British Steel rescue, minister says
Asia|Entertainment|Lifestyle|Travel|World

Thailand celebrates its New Year with water festival

Thailand celebrates its New Year with water festival
Americas|Asia|Business|Economy|US

South Korea's POSCO considers joining Hyundai Steel's $5.8 billion steel plant project in US, reports say

South Korea's POSCO considers joining Hyundai Steel's $5.8 billion steel plant project in US, reports say
Arts|Asia|Economy|Political|Technology|Travel|World

Osaka Expo opens in Japan offering a vision of the future. Here's what to know

Osaka Expo opens in Japan offering a vision of the future. Here's what to know

Environment

Environment|US|Videos

Video shows police officers rescue 3 fishermen from sinking boat in Boston Harbor

Video shows police officers rescue 3 fishermen from sinking boat in Boston Harbor
Environment|Science|US

The reason for an outburst of deadly storms early in the year could be lurking in the ocean

The reason for an outburst of deadly storms early in the year could be lurking in the ocean
Asia|Environment|Science

A mysterious ocean glow reported for over 400 years has stumped scientists. A new study could offer clues

A mysterious ocean glow reported for over 400 years has stumped scientists. A new study could offer clues
Africa|Environment|Science

Vultures are among the least loved animals. African conservationists are trying to change that

Vultures are among the least loved animals. African conservationists are trying to change that