Over 20,000 people evacuated due to heavy rains in Malaysia

The heavy rainfall from Friday through Saturday resulted in flood waters inundating houses and other buildings in wide areas of the country, said NHK World.

Malaysia’s state-run news agency says as of Sunday noon about 21,000 people in seven states were displaced from their homes, including Selangor near the capital Kuala Lumpur.

The flooding is also affecting transportation and logistics, as highways and railroad tracks have been submerged and blocked by mudslides.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said people were in a panic, as a sudden downpour made it impossible to prepare for evacuation.

The prime minister said the government will increase support for evacuees, such as improving sanitary conditions in shelters.

Floods often occur in Malaysia during the monsoon season. The government says that on Saturday alone, some areas recorded rainfall equivalent to the monthly average.