KOTA BARU – Severe flooding caused by monsoon rains has killed more than 30 people and displaced tens of thousands in Malaysia and southern Thailand, officials said Tuesday, with both countries preparing shelter and relief plans. evacuation in anticipation of even heavier rains.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said five days of heavier-than-expected rain that hit the country’s east coast last week were equivalent to rainfall over the past six months, wreaking havoc in the northern state of Kelantan -east of the country, and in its neighbor Terengganu.

Heavy downpours damaged roads and houses in Kelantan and other parts of Malaysia. Rescuers used boats to distribute food to victims trapped in their homes. Anwar said repairing flood-damaged infrastructure would cost the government about 1 billion ringgit ($224 million).

The rains eased over the weekend, but the Meteorological Department predicted heavy rain later on Tuesday. Anwar said the government is preparing for a new monsoon surge expected to hit on Sunday.

About 91,000 people across eight states remained in schools, community halls and relief centers after being evacuated from their homes due to flooding, according to the National Disaster Command Center. This is a drop from the 150,000 evacuees recorded on Sunday. About 88% of the evacuees are from Kelantan and Terengganu.

At least six people have died in Malaysia, while the toll is higher in southern Thailand.

Thailand’s Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department said Tuesday that 25 people had died in floods in the southernmost part of the country over the past week. More than 300,000 households were affected, and many schools and 98 health facilities were forced to close. The Health Ministry said Monday that 34,354 evacuees were still housed in 491 government shelters.

Although water levels have fallen in several provinces, the department also warned of heavier rains until Thursday, further putting areas at risk of flash flooding. Authorities prepared shelters, water pumps, evacuation trucks and boats, and put rescue workers on standby to prepare for further downpours.

The flooding has affected tourism, with Malaysian authorities urging citizens to postpone travel plans to southern Thailand, a popular holiday destination.