KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 28 (AFP) — Devastating floods that hit the country in recent weeks caused about RM6.1 billion in losses, with widespread damage to homes, businesses and factories, the statistics department said on Friday.

Heavy monsoon rains triggered the country’s worst flooding in years from mid-December to early January, with about 50 people killed and 125,000 forced from their homes.

The disaster caused losses amounting to RM6.1 billion, the government’s statistics department said in a report.

About half of those losses occurred in Selangor.

Damage to public assets and infrastructure accounted for RM2 billion in losses, while homes and businesses represented RM1.6 billion and RM500 million of the total respectively.

The manufacturing sector suffered losses of RM900 million, according to the report.

Malaysia suffers annual flooding during the November to February monsoon season, but this year’s were particularly damaging, with some pointing to climate change for worsening the disaster.

The government came under fire for what critics said was a slow and inadequate response. In some of the worst-hit areas, people had to wait for days on rooftops of flooded houses before finally being rescued.