KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- Monsoon rains that started over a week ago have resulted in massive flooding across northeastern Malaysia, displacing thousands and submerging entire villages.
Five eastern Malaysian states, including Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang, have been the hardest hit. Around 132,000 people were forced from their homes, according to Malaysian media, while the BBC reports at least five deaths resulting from the floods, including a reporter and toddler swept away in strong currents.
In some places entire villages have been submerged, while electrical outages have added to the chaos. The Malaysian government called the flooding the worst in over 30 years.
While the region is accustomed to monsoons, the recent system has included heavier rainfall due to a high-pressure system that developed over Eastern Europe and China and strengthened northeasterly winds bringing rain storms toward Malaysia, Indonesia and southern Thailand, according to CNN meteorologist Derek Van Dam, who noted areas of central Malaysia receiving twice the amount of monthly rainfall in a little over a week.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has returned to his country after absorbing criticism over photos showing him playing golf with President Barack Obama during the crisis.
At a press conference in Kelantan, Razak defended his actions, saying it had been difficult to decline Obama's invitation and that he had received regular reports on the flooding.
"As it became more serious, I decided to return to the country as soon as possible and went directly to Kota Baharu," he said, according to the BBC. "I have not even returned home yet."
