PETALING JAYA: Flood-related losses in the country surged to RM933.4mil in 2024, up from RM755.4mil the previous year, the Statistics Department revealed.
Chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the losses included damage to living quarters, vehicles, businesses and industrial premises.
He said the figure was equivalent to 0.05% of the country’s nominal gross domestic product (GDP).
“Data from relevant government agencies was used to assess damage to agricultural industry and public assets and infrastructure,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Living quarters recorded the highest losses at RM372.2mil (up from RM168.3mil in 2023), followed by public assets and infrastructure at RM303.4mil (albeit down from RM380.7mil in 2023).
Losses in the agriculture sector increased to RM185.2mil (up from RM120.6mil in 2023), while business premises incurred RM54.1mil (up from RM53.2mil in 2023) in damages.
“Vehicle losses stood at RM17.3mil (down from RM22.3mil in 2023), with the manufacturing sector experiencing the lowest impact at RM1.2mil (down from RM10.3mil in 2023),” said Mohd Uzir.
As per living quarters, Kelantan was the worst-hit with RM139mil, followed by Terengganu at RM103.1mil and Kedah at RM54mil.
“The hardest-hit district in Kelantan was Pasir Mas with RM46.2mil in damage, while in Terengganu, Besut recorded the highest losses at RM38.4mil.
“In Kedah, Kota Setar suffered the most losses at RM22mil,” he said.
Kelantan was also hardest-hit in business premises losses which totalled RM27.1mil, followed by Terengganu at RM16.4mil and Kedah at RM4.3mil.
Pasir Mas in Kelantan suffered the most adverse financial impact with losses at RM9.8mil.
In Terengganu, Besut faced RM4mil losses and in Kedah, Kota Setar was hit with RM2.8mil in losses.
Meanwhile, MetMalaysia said the monsoon surge, which typically brings rainfall and cooler weather, is expected to persist until Sunday.
It said the condition is causing continuous rain in Sarawak, Sabah, Labuan and the eastern peninsula, as well as strong winds and rough seas in the South China Sea.
The Continuous Rain Warning (Alert) in Pahang, Johor and Sabah will remain in effect until tomorrow.
MetMalaysia has also updated the Strong Winds and Rough Seas Warning for the South China Sea and Sulu Sea until March 23.
The department advised the public to refer to www.met.gov.my and MetMalaysia’s official social media channels or download the myCuaca app for the latest and accurate weather information.
National Antarctica Research Centre climatologist Prof Datuk Dr Azizan Abu Samah said the monsoon surge presence is being felt as predicted by MetMalaysia.
“The maximum temperature in Petaling Jaya is forecast to be around 29°C to 30°C.
“On a clear day, it can go up to 32°C or 33°C.
“Heavy rainfall is also expected in Sabah and Sarawak but not in the northern part of the peninsula,” he said, adding that heavy rain is expected to hit Pahang and Johor after tomorrow.
Climatologist Prof Dr Fredolin Tangang said the monsoon surge was due to the strengthening of the Siberian High pressure system.
“Every year, we experience five to six episodes of cold surges,” he added.
