Malaysia evacuated more than 130,000 people as the worst floods in decades left at least five dead.
More than 330 were displaced in the southwestern state of Negeri Sembilan today, bringing to eight the number of states affected by the heavy rainfall that began 10 days ago, according to state news agency Bernama.
The five dead included a toddler who was swept away by currents after falling from her mother's arms on their way to a relief center, AP reported.
The northeastern state of Kelantan had the highest number of evacuees, with 55,960 people relocated, Bernama reported. The other states affected were Terengganu, Pahang, Johor, Perak, Perlis and Kedah, it said.
Two people died in the floods in Terengganu, including a woman who fell into the water during an evacuation, Bernama said.
The Southeast Asian nation is grappling with annual floods caused by monsoon weather that could disrupt output of its key exports of palm oil and rubber. Prime Minister Najib Razak returned to Malaysia on Saturday from the U.S. after being criticised for holidaying while the nation contends with the flooding. The government has allocated an additional 500 million ringgit ($143 million) to help flood victims, after it earlier approved 50 million ringgit in aid, according to a report on The Star newspaper's website citing Razak who spoke at a press conference in the northeastern state of Kelantan on Saturday.
No outbreak of disease has been reported at evacuation centers since the flood hit Terengganu almost two weeks ago, Bernama reported today, citing State Health, Women, Family and Community Development Committee Chairman Muhammad Pehimi Yusof.
State power company Tenaga Nasional Bhd. (TNB) has temporarily shut 2,318 electrical substations in the flooded states, halting supply to 150,852 users, according to a statement yesterday from the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry.
