Residents being transferred to a temporary shelter at a mosque near Kuala Ping, Terengganu, as heavy rain caused rivers along Malaysia's east coast to rise. -- PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
KUALA TERENGGANU: About 3,700 people slept in evacuation centres yesterday after their homes were flooded in three Malaysian east coast states.
Heavy rains caused rivers to swell in Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang.
The villagers were placed in more than 50 shelters, converted from schools and community halls.
In Kelantan, fisherman Nik Zulkifli Nik Kob, 25, drowned yesterday after he fell into a river while out trawling, becoming the first victim of this year's annual rainy season, officials say. Last year, floods caused 15 deaths in the state.
Another fisherman, Mr Nik Shamsul Azli Nik Kob, 30, drowned after his boat sank. Two men with him stayed afloat till they were rescued by another trawler.
The meteorological department has warned of strong winds and rough waters in the South China Sea over the next few days. 'The waves of up to 4.5m high are dangerous for small vessels, ferries and fishing boats, and other coastal activities,' it said in a statement yesterday.
At the Thai-Malaysia border, the Golok River that separates the two countries was swollen after heavy rains upstream, inundating the busy border town of Rantau Panjang in Kelantan.
A resident of the area, Mr Nasir Mat Min, 47, said the residents were evacuated by 11am as floodwaters rose very fast.
'We started packing and making preparation to leave our houses at 7am,' he said, adding that it was a yearly affair for his family as they lived on the river bank.
Another resident, Mr Abdullah Mohamad, 52, chose to stay in a lorry belonging to his son-in-law, as the relief centre was congested. 'I am putting up the night in the lorry with my son-in-law and two children,' he said.
