Malaysia battles fresh floods in Kelantan, Terengganu
Posted: 23 November 2009 1734 hrs

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KUALA LUMPUR - More than 12,000 villagers have been evacuated from their homes in Malaysia as a second wave of floods ravaged two states amid heavy rain, according to state media Monday.

Flooding in low lying areas forced affected villagers in Kelantan and Terengganu to seek refuge in relief centres.

In Terengganu, some major roads were submerged while others were closed due to landslides.

Flood operations officials in northern Kelantan state told the Bernama news agency that 3,019 people were evacuated to relief centres Monday morning as rivers have swollen and overflowed their banks during Malaysia's monsoon season.

It said 9,062 villagers in Terengganu were seeking shelter in relief centres.

The meteorological department has also issued its highest-level red alert on the formation of a tropical depression in the South China Sea.

The depression is expected to lead to storms and high waves that are likely to affect Kelantan, Terengganu and eastern Pahang state over the coming week with wind speeds of up to 65 kilometres per hour and waves as high as 3.5 metres.

Floods hit the east coast states early this month, killing two and causing thousands of people to be evacuated. There has also been a major outbreak of cholera due to contaminated food and water in Terengganu with one death reported.

- AFP/ir