Deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the initiative aimed to provide relief for the victims, whose numbers surged past 150,000 in the middle of the week but has since gone down to just over 60,000.

“We will conduct a thorough assessment of the damaged homes in rural areas and provide new housing or repair their homes,” the rural and regional development minister said at the ministry’s monthly meeting here today.

There were 63,206 flood evacuees in seven states as of 11.45am, with warnings of a second wave of floods next week that might displace thousands more.

The meteorological department had said that a “monsoon surge” from Dec 8 to 14 was expected to cause prolonged periods of heavy rain.

Zahid also announced a flood relief drive today to supply evacuees with financial assistance and essential goods. The ministry will also deploy teams to help victims rebuild their lives once the floods subside.

Special attention would be given to the Orang Asli and Felda communities, he added.

“We are ready. We will mobilise government machinery, assets and volunteers to ensure that aid reaches these areas without delay,” he said.