26 000 flee floods in Malaysia

2007-12-12 13:40

Kuala Lumpur - About 26 000 people have fled their homes after heavy rains and overflowing rivers flooded towns and villages in eastern Malaysia, authorities said on Wednesday.

The floods have claimed at least 10 lives since last week in four Malaysian states that suffer extensive thunderstorms each year during the monsoon season from November to February, according to relief co-ordination centres in four Malaysian states.

The centres reported that 26 092 people were sheltering on Wednesday in town halls, schools and community centres on high ground.

Some of them were rescued by police boats after the floods cut off roads and highways.

Suriati Kamarul, a villager in Johor state, told local media that she was carrying her nine-month-old baby when the floodwaters rose to her shoulders.

"I prayed with about 10 neighbours and their children as we waited for help," the New Straits Times newspaper quoted her as saying. "Luckily police arrived in the nick of time in a boat."

The Meteorological Department said an "orange stage" warning was in effect for Johor and Pahang states, where moderate and occasionally heavy rain is expected to persist through Friday.

Malaysia increased flood mitigation efforts after suffering one of its worst periods of monsoon flooding last year.

The government estimated costs of 1.2 billion ringgit to repair roads and schools, and in aid to flood victims.

- AP