Anwar advised all Cabinet members to help those impacted by the disaster.

“All ministers must continue their duties, and I have instructed them to be on the ground,” he said.

“Yes, leave for ministers and deputy ministers has been frozen,” he told reporters after performing Friday prayers in Putrajaya, Utusan Malaysia reported.

The floods are projected to be the worst in 10 years, particularly in the east coast states, surpassing the “Bah Kuning” disaster of 2014, based on forecasts and warnings issued by the meteorological department (MetMalaysia).

Deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi warned that the expected major tidal surge on the east coast next week would exacerbate the flooding situation, as river water would be unable to flow out to sea.

Zahid, who heads the National Disaster Management Agency, said MetMalaysia is activating its early warning systems and security teams are ready to mitigate the situation.

He said the government is acting on advice and forecasts from MetMalaysia.

Current efforts are focussed on monitoring and responding to the floods in Kelantan and Terengganu, although Kedah, Perlis, Johor and Perak are also impacted by floods.

Bernama reported that continuous rain caused the number of flood victims in several states to increase sharply to 59,232 across 221 temporary relief centres this morning, compared to 50,947 reported last night.

Kelantan reported the highest number of evacuees, with Pasir Mas recording 22,156, followed by Kota Bharu (5,944), Kuala Krai (5,253), Tanah Merah (4,366) and Bachok (2,844). The other affected districts were Pasir Puteh (4,956), Machang (4,395), Jeli (838) and Gua Musang (46).

In Terengganu, 20,911 people from 5,916 families were taking shelter at 232 relief centres as of 8am compared to 17,762 at 8pm yesterday.