Thousands flee floods in Malaysia after heavy rain
Heavy downpours over the past week have caused rivers to burst their banks, forcing many people to seek shelter in schools and community centres, said Mr Ismail Abdullah, a police official in eastern Pahang state. --PHOTO: UTUSAN
KUALA LUMPUR - MONSOON raids flooded low-lying towns in four eastern Malaysian states, killing one Indonesian man and prompting more than 4,500 residents to flee their homes, police and local media said on Monday.
Tens of thousands of students missed the first days of the school year when classes were cancelled because of the floods, according to Mr Wan Zulizzi Wan Muda, chief police inspector in eastern Kelantan state.
Heavy downpours over the past week have caused rivers to burst their banks, forcing many people to seek shelter in schools and community centres, said Mr Ismail Abdullah, a police official in eastern Pahang state.
The New Straits Times newspaper reported that an Indonesian man was killed on Saturday in a landslide sparked by downpours on Cameron Highlands, a popular tourist area in Pahang.
Malaysia's east coast experiences extensive thunderstorms each year during the monsoon season between November and February.
Mr Wan Zulizzi said many people might return home in the coming days because the rains were easing. -- AP
