PETALING JAYA (THE STAR/ASIA NEW NETWORK) - The new school term in Malaysia will start a week later nationwide due to the severe floods, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said on Monday.

In a statement, Muhyiddin, who is also the Education Minister, said for states in Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu and Johor, the new term will begin on Jan 11 (Sunday), while for other states, the session starts on Jan 12 (Monday).

He noted that as of Sunday, 340 schools in seven states were affected by the floods. According to him, some of these schools were used as flood relief centres and others were inundated by the deluge.

"It would take time for teachers, parents and students who are affected by the floods to prepare for the school term," he said.

Muhyiddin said he understood the inconvenience faced by those affected by the floods if the school term starts as scheduled which would be Jan 4 in Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu and Johor, and Jan 5 for other states.

Meantime, the flood situation in Kelantan is still critical with five districts in serious situation following the disruption of basic amenities caused by floods.

State Flood Disaster Committee chairman Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said electricity and water supply in Kuala Krai, Tanah Merah, Rantau Panjang, Pasir Mas and Tumpat, were still disrupted.

"Only a third of people in Kelantan have access to electricity while only one-fourth here have clean water.

"We are doing our best to distribute aid," he said at the Communication and Multimedia Ministry's media room here on Sunday.

Mustapa said although areas like Kota Baru, Pengkalan Chepa and Kubang Kerian were badly affected, authorities could still reach the evacuees there.

"We are identifying the number of houses that is completely destroyed. We have identified some 570 houses in Gua Musang. The number will increase," he warned.

The flood situation in Pahang has also not shown any sign of abating, with at least eight major rivers breaching the danger level on Sunday.