Kuala Lumpur Airport has 'indoor waterfall' like Changi, netizens mock following water leakage

By Hoang Phong November 14, 2025 | 07:13 pm PT

Many travelers arriving at Kuala Lumpur International Airport's Terminal 1 in Malaysia were startled on Friday when heavy rain caused a ceiling panel to leak, sending water pouring down into the terminal.

Videos posted on social media platform X show water gushing out from a ceiling structure near a Qatar Airways check-in counter.

According to the footage, travelers and airport staff watched "the indoor waterfall" in disbelief, with some remaining in queues at nearby check-in counters.

As the deluge continued, cleaning crews used mops and ride-on scrubbers while security staff cordoned off the area with retractable barriers.

Video footages show water pouring from a ceiling structure near a Qatar Airways check-in counter.

Video footage shows water pouring from a ceiling structure near a Qatar Airways check-in counter at Kuala Lumpur International Airport's Terminal 1 in Malaysia on Nov. 14, 2025.

The airport operator Malaysia Airports said in a statement that the incident occurred at about 4.15 p.m. following "exceptionally heavy rainfall in the area," Free Malaysia Today reported.

It added that teams were placed on "high alert" while "prioritizing passenger safety, containment efforts, and the protection of electrical systems", with engineering, operations, and safety teams "already on-site managing the situation".

"Containment, clean-up and restoration works were carried out promptly and continued more vigorously once weather conditions eased," it added.

The water leakage at Terminal 1was caused by a contractor's error during ongoing roof repair and waterproofing works, The Star reported, citing Malaysia Airports Holdings.

Social media users found humor in the incident, saying that Kuala Lumpur Airport had a new attraction, an indoor waterfall and pool, a la the Jewel Rain Vortex at Singapore's Changi Airport.

Others mocked the scene, labeling it "Jewel 2" as a rival to Changi.

Terminal 1, or the main terminal, serves as a hub for numerous carriers, offering access to a wide range of domestic and international flights. The terminal provides a convenient, passenger-friendly experience, with Malaysia Airlines among the principal carriers operating there.