By Annisa Essack
23:12:2021

Flooding caused by torrential rains in Malaysia has driven more than 15,000 people from their homes, closed dozens of roads, and disrupted shipping.

More than 66,000 personnel from the police, army and fire department have been mobilised nationwide to help rescue people stranded by floodwaters and take them to shelters.

On Sunday, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department of Religious Affairs, Idris Ahmad, announced the opening of mosques in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya to shelter hundreds of people who have been stranded due to torrential rains and floods.

In a statement quoted by Bernama, he said, “Mosques are ready and will also provide the appropriate assistance. The mosques also manage food assistance through the Dapur It’am and Jawi Food Bank programs.”

In addition to the help provided by the mosques, the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) was to provide the necessary assistance to the victims.

The Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) has also turned its mosque into temporary accommodation for all flood victims.

“Special flash flood assistance for UiTM residents has also been established following this incident, managed by the university’s zakat, contribution and waqf division,” it said in a statement.

Apart from Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, other states affected by the floods are Kelantan, Pahang, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan and Terengganu.

Floods in Malaysia are common during the annual monsoon season between October and March, particularly on the country’s eastern coast.

But the downpour that started on Friday morning and continued through Saturday hit worst in the western state of Selangor — Malaysia’s wealthiest and most populous region surrounding the capital Kuala Lumpur.