Kuala Lampur
At least 14 people have died and tens of thousands are displaced following one of the worst floods Malaysia has seen in decades.
Three days of massive torrential rain over the weekend caused severe flooding in eight states, partially submerging towns and villages in water.
The government has come under fierce criticism over its delayed response.
Several people have been reported as missing, and fears are mounting that the death toll will rise sharply.
As of Monday, an estimated 51,000 people had been evacuated from their homes. Most of them were from Pahang on the eastern coast of Malaysia, one of the worst-hit states.
Selangor, the prosperous and densely populated state where the capital city Kuala Lumpur is located, was also severely affected.
Images circulating online showed parts of downtown Kuala Lumpur submerged over the weekend, in water levels that has not been seen since a massive flood in 1971.
Officials said they were also looking out for a possible surge in Covid-19 cases as thousands of people have gathered in temporary shelters.
The rains had largely eased by Monday, and some residents returned to their damaged homes as floodwaters receded.
“We are left with only our clothes, and important documents like our children’s birth certificates,” said flood victim Sazuatu Remly. “That’s all we brought with us.”
