2006-2007 Malaysian floods

Infobox flood
image location=Kt flood.jpg

Malay.
name = 2006-2007 Malaysian floods
duration = December 18, 2006 - January 13, 2007
total damages (USD) = $395 million
total fatalities = 118
areas affected = Johor, Malacca, Pahang, Negeri Sembilan, Singapore, North Sumatra, AcehThe 2006-2007 Malaysian floods are a series of floods that hit Malaysia. The floods were caused by above average rainfall, which was attributed to Typhoon Utor which had hit the Philippines and Vietnam a few days earlier [The Star. [http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/12/21/nation/16380186&sec=nation Utor to blame] . December 21 2006.] . By the third week of January 2007, Johor was hit by a larger flood. Singapore and certain parts of Indonesia were flooded due to the same typhoon.

Throughout the week of December 18 2006.The Star. [http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/12/21/nation/20061221072623&sec=nation Segamat and Kota Tinggi folks stranded by floods] . December 21 2006.] a series of floods hit Johor, Malacca, Pahang and Negeri Sembilan. During this period, these southern Malaysian states, along with Singapore, experienced abnormal rainfall which resulted in massive floods. The rainfall recorded in the city of Johor Bahru on December 19 amounts to 289mm when the annual rainfall of the city alone is 2400mm. [Stephanie Phang. Bloomberg. [http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601080&sid=aS5Yewd0psRo&refer=asia Malaysian Floods Force 22,740 People to Leave Homes (Update1)] . December 20 2006. Retrieved December 23 2006.] [The Star. [http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/12/20/nation/16370187&sec=nation 35cm of rain in just a day] . December 20 2006.] In Singapore the 24-hour rainfall recorded on December 20 was 366 mm, the third highest recorded rainfall in 75 years. [Channel Newsasia. [http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/248220/1/.html Tuesday's heavy rainfall third highest in 75 years] . December 20 2006. Retrieved December 23 2006.]

The flooding began when torrential downpours since Sunday caused rivers and dams to overflow. Weather officials described the flooding as the worst in the area in a century. [Associated Press via International Herald Tribune. [http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/12/21/asia/AS_WEA_Malaysia_Floods.php 2 killed, 60,000 displaced in worst flooding in a century in southern Malaysia] . December 20 2006.] At least six people died. [CNN. [http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/12/22/malaysia.floods.ap/ Malaysia floods kill at least 6] December 22 2006.]

Later that week, beginning December 22, North Sumatra and Aceh experienced abnormal rainfall which also caused flooding [Mail&Guardian. [http://www.mg.co.za/articlePage.aspx?articleid=294478&area=/breaking_news/breaking_news__international_news/ Heavy flooding uproots thousands in Asia] . December 22 2006.] An estimated 400,000 people were displaced at the peak of the flooding and at least 118 people dead with 155 people missing as of December 29, 2006. There are fears fresh flooding could occur in Malaysia. [International Herald Tribune. [http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/12/29/news/flood.php Indonesia struggles to help flood victims] . December 29 2006.]

Typhoon Utor

Typhoon Utor was blamed for heavy rains of up to 350 mm within 24 hours in southern Peninsular Malaysia, specifically Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka and Pahang, causing massive floods within the southern region on December 18 2006, which was considered as the worst in the Malaysian southern region history. [http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/12/21/nation/16380186&sec=nation Typhoon Utor to blame] The Star Online ] However, there were also reports a few days earlier that adverse weather was not to be blamed on the typhoon. [ [http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/12/14/nation/16311944&sec=nation Seas too choppy for small vessels ] ] The worst-affected areas were Segamat and Kota Tinggi, where both towns were totally inaccessible by land after all main roads leading to those towns were all flooded. [http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/12/21/nation/20061221072623&sec=nation Segamat and Kota Tinggi folks stranded by floods] The Star Online ] Until January 4 2007, the floods had claimed 15 lives. Heavy rains are excepted in Penang, Perak, Kelantan and other states in the northern region at this period. [http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/12/24/nation/16409486&sec=nation&focus=1 Relief all round] The Star Online ]

Malaysia

ituation in Johor

Urban areas including Batu Pahat, Johor Bahru, Kluang, Kota Tinggi, Mersing, Muar, Pontian and Segamat have been flooded. Towns of Kota Tinggi and Segamat were completely cut off. Between 60,000 and 70,000 had been evacuated in Johor itself while food shortage at relief centers had been reported. Until now, schools are still flooded. The government of Malaysia plans to donate uniforms to the victims. [Bernama. [http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=237957 Shortage Of Food Supply At Flood Relief Centres In Johor] . December 22 2006. Retrieved December 23 2006.] Most of the flood victims had been without clean water or electricity for days.The Star. [http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/12/21/nation/16385106&sec=nation Floods wreak more havoc] . December 21 2006.] According to health authorities, reports of water-borne diseases were on the rise. In some areas, looting was reported after floodwaters receded. [The Star. [http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/12/23/nation/16406506&sec=nation Reports of looting surface] . December 23 2006. Retrieved December 23 2006.]

The second wave of the flood, which was larger than the first wave, had almost paralyzed Johor after all 8 districts were submerged by the flood. [Utusan Malaysia [http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/content.asp?y=2007&dt=0115&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Muka_Hadapan&pg=mh_01.htm Johor hampir lumpuh] . January 14, 2007.] The worst-affected areas caused by the second flood were Batu Pahat and Kluang. Both waves of the flood disaster were considered as the costliest flood in Malaysian history, with the total cost of RM 1.5 billion. [Berita Harian [http://www.bharian.com.my/m/BHarian/Tuesday/Mukadepan/20070129235113/Article/ Banjir: Kerajaan rugi RM1.5b] . January 30, 2007.]

Kota Tinggi

On 12 January 2007 Friday early morning the flood water was slowly increasing at Jalan Jaffar, while the residents were all shifting their goods for preparing the second flood.

Kluang

On Saturday morning 13 January 2007, The Sungai Semberong bridge at Batu 5, Jalan Kluang-Mersing (Federal route 50) collapsed after being washed by strong current about 4.00 am Saturday. [Bernama [http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/state_news/news.php?id=241162&cat=st Bridge Collapses, Road Link Between Kluang-Kahang Cut Off] ]

ituation in Malacca

In Malacca, 3,193 people from 691 families from Melaka Tengah, Alor Gajah and Jasin left their homes due to rising waters.

A total of 35 relief centres were opened yesterday, with the floods regarded the worst for the three districts in 15 years.

ituation in Pahang

In Pahang, more than 2,000 people were evacuated in several areas in Rompin, especially in Bandar Tun Abdul Razak.

After more than 10 hours of continuous rain, people in Kampung Rekoh in Bandar Tun Abdul Razak were evacuated to nearby community halls.

Other affected areas were Kampung Kurnia, Yayasan Estate and Yayasan Estate II.

At press time, scores of residents in Kamung Serok, an orang asli village, were waiting to be evacuated.

More than 6,000 residents, including settlers in nine Felda Selancar schemes, have also been stranded because of two badly damaged bridges in the area.

ituation in Negeri Sembilan

In Negeri Sembilan, the various government departments in charge of flood relief in the state are fully prepared and on standby, said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

Flooded areas include Gemas and Gemencheh and a total of 80 people have been evacuated so far.

Prime Minister's response

Abdullah Ahmad Badawi expressed his sadness over the disaster. [The Star. [http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/12/22/nation/16394359&sec=nation Supply aid, stores urged Najib] . December 22 2006.] He was on vacation during the flooding. [Jamaluddin Muhammad. Bernama. [http://web6.bernama.com/bernama/v3/bm/news.php?id=237585&vo=105 Lawatan Singkat Yang Membawa Hasil Bermakna] . December 20 2006. Retrieved December 23 2006.] He was back in Malaysia by December 23, 2006. [Bernama. [http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news.php?id=238127 PM Tells People To Help Check Looting In Flooded Areas] . December 23 2006.]

International Response

Aid was given to Malaysia by various international non-governmental organizations and countries such as United Sikhs, Red Crescent, United States of America, and Taiwan.

Indonesia

The floods hit areas such as Northern Sumatra and Aceh leaving many homeless and the floods last for a week starting on December 22. An estimated 400,000 people were displaced at the peak of the flooding and at least 118 people dead with 155 people missing as of December 29, 2006. There are fears fresh flooding could occur in Malaysia. [International Herald Tribune. [http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/12/29/news/flood.php Indonesia struggles to help flood victims] . December 29 2006.]

ee also

*Floods in Malaysia

References

Further reading

*cite journal |last=Tangang |first=Fredolin T. |authorlink= |coauthors="et al." |year=2008 |month= |title=On the roles of the northeast cold surge, the Borneo vortex, the Madden-Julian Oscillation, and the Indian Ocean Dipole during the extreme 2006/2007 flood in southern Peninsular Malaysia |journal=Geophysical Research Letters |volume=35 |issue= |pages=L14S07 |doi=10.1029/2008GL033429 |url= |accessdate= |quote=