More Than 120,000 Evacuated as Malaysia Hit by Worst Flooding in Decades · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

A man sits on a float tires in a flood affected area in Temerloh, 150 km (93 miles) outside of Kuala Lumpur, December 27, 2014. Photo by SAMMY FOO. Copyright Demotix
The northeastern states of peninsular Malaysia were hit by massive flooding, which residents described as the worst seen in the region in more than two decades.
At least 120,000 have been evacuated as floodwaters intensified in the past two days. Aside from heavy rainfall, scientists blamed the gravitational pull of the moon for the high tide that caused the flooding in many coastal areas.
Social media is being maximized to coordinate relief and rescue operations. The #mybanjir (Malaysian flood) website was created to allow flood victims to receive and send SMS about their status and location. Netizens are using the Twitter hashtags #mybanjir, #Banjir2014, #PrayForPantaiTimur, and #PrayForKelantan to monitor the flood situation.
Below are some photos that show the devastating impact of the flood:
The worst flood I ever experienced. Kota Bharu, Kelantan. #PrayForPantaiTimur #PrayForKelantan pic.twitter.com/rykMS2j1L4
— AMAR AMIRUL (@AmarAmirul_) December 25, 2014
Latest update from my cousin. #PrayForKelantan #PrayForPantaiTimur pic.twitter.com/uYDnnkMEqR
— NM (@NabilaMaliki) December 25, 2014
Thoughts and Prayers to the people of Kota Bharu. Hope the flood subsides soon. #PrayForPantaiTimur pic.twitter.com/t3WkqdauLG
— Reuben W.J Kang (@reubenkang) December 25, 2014
One of the hospital in Kelantan is half soaked by water. Please pray for their safety #PrayForPantaiTimur pic.twitter.com/JE1UJ3YCSe
— ï (@imanbaharun) December 25, 2014
The flood is getting worse . #PrayForPantaiTimur #PrayForMalaysia pic.twitter.com/ReoSlDQDY5
— delight (@perfyeols) December 25, 2014
Good Morning Chukai #PrayForPantaiTimur pic.twitter.com/IzFsWTkxYN
— ☆ (@AfifZakwan) December 27, 2014
Allahu let's just hope for the best T.T #PrayForPantaiTimur #PrayForKelantan pic.twitter.com/nBMji1UU6z
— 아들리나 (@youngminieoppar) December 26, 2014
#PrayForPantaiTimur and all those poor animals pic.twitter.com/oHf5KkI7t9
— pamy (@fahmyvevo) December 25, 2014
“@nadhirah_moffet: I just can't #PrayForPantaiTimur pic.twitter.com/NHhxaCZNRQ“
— Àdàm9À+ (@adamafiqqq) December 27, 2014
Google has uploaded a crisis map to show the areas threatened with flooding:
Prime Minister Najib Razak drew flak after he was seen playing golf with United States President Barack Obama while Malaysia was being battered by floodwaters:
President Obama playing golf with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak in Hawaii today pic.twitter.com/qul13Q09tW
— TheObamaDiary.com (@TheObamaDiary) December 25, 2014
In response, Najib cancelled his year-end vacation in the U.S. to lead the government’s disaster response:
I'm deeply concerned by the floods and am returning to see the situation for myself. My thoughts and prayers are with all who are suffering.
— Mohd Najib Tun Razak (@NajibRazak) December 26, 2014
Malaysian Insider has written an editorial criticizing the slow and inefficient disaster preparation of the government:
The authorities should be able to predict, prepare and inform people that floods are expected, and list out the relief centres and available food stock.
Yet neither those in affected areas or Malaysians elsewhere knew what hit them at the tail-end of one of the worst years in the country's history.
We need more than a transformation, we need reforms of attitudes and operating procedures.
The flood has inspired many Malaysians to help in the relief effort. But the flood has not yet receded and once the water is gone, the next challenge is the rehabilitation of damaged communities. It will be a very difficult new year for Malaysia’s eastern states.