Malaysian floods claim two lives
Flooding brought by torrential rains displaces 60,000 across southern Malaysia
Published On 21 Dec 2006
Johor opened about 300 flood relief centers on high ground to shelter more than 50,000 evacuees from across the state who had to abandon their homes.
More than 7,500 people were evacuated in the three other affected states of Malacca, Pahang and Negeri Sembilan, Che Moin said.
The flooding has been described as the country’s worst in 100 years |
He said the government had pledged an unspecified amount of money to help the flood victims.
Last December, the government set aside close to $30 million in aid for victims of the monsoon in northern Malaysia.
Che Moin said the prime minister “has asked us to expedite all assistance to the victims”.
Relief teams, he said, were flying in food supplies and other essentials to areas that were cut off by the floods.
The national rail service has indefinitely suspended all services to Johor and to neighbouring Singapore.
Singapore has also been hit by the heavy rains, with floods and small landslides reported in the north and center of the island.
Weather forecasters say they expect the heavy rains to continue until the end of the week.
Source: News Agencies