2021–2022 Malaysian floods

On 16 December 2021, a tropical depression made landfall on the eastern coast of Peninsular Malaysia, bringing torrential downpours throughout the peninsula for three days. The resulting floods, affecting eight states across the country, have left at least 54 dead and 2 missing. During its furthest extent, it caused the concurrent displacement of more than 71,000 residents, and have affected over 125,000 people on the overall.

Declared by government officials as a "once in a century" disaster, it is the worst flood in the country in terms of displaced residents since the 2014–2015 Malaysia floods. It has also been historically compared with the 1971 Kuala Lumpur floods. It is the deadliest tropical cyclone-related disaster to hit Malaysia since Tropical Storm Greg of 1996, which killed 238 people and left 102 more missing.

Record-high precipitations were measured at weather stations at Selangor and Kuala Lumpur. Widespread damages were reported at the states of Selangor and Pahang, especially the district of Hulu Langat and the city of Shah Alam. The Malaysian government has suffered criticism over its delayed response and apathy towards the disaster. Scientists, climate activists, and the media have largely made connections of this disaster as an example of extreme weather attributed to climate change.

## Cause of flooding

Many parts of the town were overcome with water rushing into homes and destroying furniture and electrical appliances, with waist-high waters in some areas.

Residents say the the last time Klang was this badly flooded was about almost 50 years ago, as water overflowed from rivers, drains and retention ponds into residential areas.

There were heavy traffic and stalled vehicles at all entry points into Klang which were also flooded.

Several areas in Port Klang also experienced a power outage due the the heavy downpour.

The worst hit location was Port Klang, where the area's Fire and Rescue Department evacuated several people due to the flooding.

## Closure of the 5 main roads

The Kuala Lumpur Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department chief said the five routes were Jalan Tuanku Sultan Abdul Halim, Jalan Rahmat, Jalan Sentul Manis, Jalan Pahang Barat and the SMART tunnel.

"We advise motorists to use Jalan Tun Razak to get to the city centre," he said in a statement Sunday (Dec 19).

He also advised motorists to avoid the closed and diverted roads.

"Always follow instructions of police personnel to ensure smooth traffic flow," he added.

ACP Sarifudin urged those with information or inquiries to contact the Jalan Tun HS Lee Traffic police station at 03-2071 9999 or the KL Traffic police hotline at 03-2026 0267/ 69 or the nearest police station.

Meanwhile, a check by The Star at the city centre revealed that the flood situation has improved with the water in many places completely receding.

As of 11am, there was no more water at Jalan Dang Wangi, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and Jalan Raja Laut.

While the road in front of Dataran Merdeka was still closed off, there was no more water at the location.

Despite a light drizzle, the situation at the city centre was slowly returning to normal.

## References

1. ↑ Klang Floods: Non-stop rain turns Jalan Meru into a river. The Star (18 December 2021). Retrieved on December 19, 2021.
2. ↑ Flood: Five main routes in KL closed due to floods, clean-up ops, say cops. The Star (19 December 2021). Retrieved on December 19, 2021.