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Wednesday, December 19, 2007

29 Korban Banjir

At least 29 people have died from the floods which have hit various states since early this month.

Kelantan recorded 14 deaths, followed by Pahang with 11 deaths – three of which in the last 48 hours – and Johor with four deaths as of yesterday.

In Pahang, two of the latest victims were found floating in Sungai Endau in Rompin by search and rescue personnel at about 10.30am yesterday.

They were identified as Zamri Mohamad, 29, of Kampung Lang Kiri and Indonesian Atong, 50, an estate worker. Both men were reported missing on Sunday after going fishing near the river.
Paraplegic Mohd Yuslan Othman, 30, drowned near his home in Kampung Serandu in Pekan late on Monday.

The number of evacuees has increased from 22,549 to 23,026 people. They are being housed in 142 flood relief centres.

Pekan recorded the highest number with 10,193 people in 40 centres.

Other districts affected were Temerloh (4,069 people), Maran (3,235), Bera (2,257), Rompin (2,057) and Kuantan (1,215).

Roads into Pekan from Kuantan, Muadzam Shah and Rompin were still cut off due to floods.

In Kelantan, the number of evacuees increased to 8,352 from 2,000. A dam bursting in Narathiwat in southern Thailand has aggravated the situation.

Most of the newly evacuated were residents from the Tumpat district. The latest fatality was reported yesterday.

The road from Gua Musang to Kota Baru remained impassable due to landslides.

Motorists from Kuala Lumpur should use the East-West Highway instead of the road to Gua Musang.

The Meteorological Department has issued a Yellow Stage advisory on heavy rain for the state and neighbouring Terengganu.

In Johor, the situation improved as the number of flood evacuees declined to 2,994.

There were 814 families temporarily housed in 39 flood relief centres statewide as of 4pm yesterday.

The worst hit district is Muar with 1,504 victims in 13 centres.

Segamat is second with 1,179 victims at 19 centres followed by Johor Baru with 230 victims in three centres and Batu Pahat with 63 victims, also in three centres.

Flood relief centres in Kluang, Mersing and Pontian have closed after evacuees were allowed to go home.

The Meteorological Department said moderate rain currently occurring in Johor was expected to continue until tomorrow.

It has issued an Orange Stage warning for Segamat, Muar, Batu Pahat, Kluang, Johor Baru, Kota Tinggi and Mersing.