Record numbers evacuated in Malaysia's worst floods in decades
[KUALA LUMPUR] More than 100,000 people have been evacuated from their homes by authorities in five northern states of Malaysia hit by the South-east Asian nation's worst monsoon floods in decades.
Extremely high levels of floodwater and bad weather have made relocating victims and the transport of food supplies by helicopters difficult, Prime Minister Najib Razak said in a statement.
A total of 103,412 people have been displaced in Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Perak and Perlis, state news agency Bernama said, surpassing the previous record of 100,000 people evacuated during floods in 2008.
Northeastern peninsular Malaysia, which is worst affected, is regularly hit by flooding during the annual Northeast Monsoon, but this year's rains have been particularly bad.
On Tuesday, nearly 60 foreign tourists were among almost 100 people rescued by boat and helicopter from a resort in a Malaysian national park lashed by its highest rainfall since 1971.
The flooding comes as communities in northwestern Malaysia mark the 10th anniversary of the devastating tsunami that hit on Dec 26, 2004.
REUTERS
BT is now on Telegram!
For daily updates on weekdays and specially selected content for the weekend. Subscribe to t.me/BizTimes
International
South Korea’s probe alleges 211.2 billion won of illegal short trades
Suzhou Industrial Park: The crown jewel of China-Singapore relations celebrates its 30th year
Top US Treasury official to travel to Singapore, Malaysia to discuss sanctions
Saudi Arabia posts budget deficit of US$3.3 billion in first quarter
Microsoft bets big on South-east Asia, pledges billions in AI and cloud investments
RBA to keep key rate at 12-year high as inflation stirs anew