Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia – More than 4,600 people have been evacuated in Malaysia’s eastern province of Sabah as worsening weather conditions trigger widespread flooding, officials reported Saturday, February 21, 2026. The situation highlights the increasing vulnerability of Southeast Asian nations to extreme weather events linked to climate change and monsoon seasons.
According to the State Disaster Management Committee Secretariat, the number of displaced individuals reached 4,652 as of Saturday evening, as reported by the official Bernama news agency. The evacuations are concentrated in Sabah, but the neighboring state of Sarawak is also affected, with 63 people moved to a temporary relief center.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department indicated on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, that wet conditions are expected to persist throughout the week in both Sabah and Sarawak, with rainfall anticipated in several regions due to the arrival of monsoon winds.
In a separate incident, further east in Sarawak, 63 individuals have been relocated to an initial evacuation center. The ongoing rainfall and potential for further flooding are prompting authorities to remain on high alert.
Recent reports from September 15, 2025, detailed a series of landslides triggered by heavy rain across Sabah, resulting in at least 11 confirmed deaths and several people missing. Two of the worst incidents occurred in Inanam and Papar, where landslides buried homes and claimed lives, including children. Details of the September landslides underscore the region’s susceptibility to weather-related disasters.
In November 2025, over 22,000 people were evacuated across seven northern states of Malaysia due to torrential rains, according to the New Straits Times. The La Niña weather pattern, which brings increased rainfall to Southeast Asia, is believed to be a contributing factor to the recent surge in flooding.
The current evacuations and previous flooding events demonstrate the growing challenges faced by Malaysia in managing the impacts of increasingly frequent and severe weather events. The development underscores the require for improved disaster preparedness and infrastructure resilience in the region.
Anadolu Ajansı reported that authorities are continuing to monitor the situation closely and provide assistance to those affected.
