Still recovering from flooding, Malaysia, Thailand prepare for new storms

Even as floodwaters dumped by storms called the worst in decades began to subside, residents in Malaysia and Thailand were warned that more destructive weather could arrive soon, according to officials and news reports.

The storms, which began on Nov. 27 and struck hardest in Malaysia’s Kelantan and Terengganu states along with southern Thailand, killed at least two, according to media reports.

The Malaysian Department of Social Welfare reported late Monday that over 95,000 people across eight states were forced to evacuate to over 400 temporary relief centers. Kelantan continued to record the highest number of evacuees at 58,146, followed by Terengganu, 27,544, Kedah, 7,426, and Pahang, 1,847.

In southern Thailand, the interior ministry reported about 434,000 households remained affected by the storm’s aftermath on Monday, according to media reports. Moving forward, the national meteorological department warned the lower south could face flash floods between Tuesday and Thursday.

In Malaysia, the meteorological department forecast a wind convergence in Kelantan and Terengganu on Tuesday and Wednesday could bring thunderstorms and heavy rains, Reuters news service reported.

Fadhlina Sidek, Malaysia’s education minister, said the key secondary school exam, which began on Monday and runs through Feb. 6, will proceed as scheduled. The minister said alternative exam centers have been arranged for students whose schools were flooded or served as temporary evacuation shelters.