Over 1 000 flee floodwaters

2007-12-06 12:04

Kuala Lumpur - More than 1 000 people have been evacuated from their homes in Malaysia's southern Johor state as continuous heavy rain caused flood waters to rise, officials said on Thursday.

A total of 1 056 people have been forced to take refuge in temporary relief centres throughout the state since water levels began rising Wednesday, state social welfare officer Manayi Ibrahim said.

He said 10 relief centres had been opened throughout the state, and that the government was prepared for more evacuations as heavy rains continued.

The Meteorological Department has issued a red-alert warning on worsening weather conditions at the onset of the annual monsoon season.

The department has warned those living in Johor, central Pahang state, and the eastern states of Kelantan and Terengganu to be prepared for heavy rains, as well as tropical storms or typhoons with wind speeds of at least 60km per hour.

The moderate to heavy rainfall would persist until Friday and could cause flooding in low-laying areas and along river banks, the department said in a statement Thursday. - Sapa-dpa

- SAPA