Asia-Pacific News
Two dead, almost 30,000 displaced in Malaysian flood
Jan 31, 2011, 6:26 GMT
Kuala Lumpur - Two people died and nearly 30,000 were forced to evacuate their homes Monday after heavy rains closed major roads and caused rivers to overflow in Malaysia's southernmost state of Johor.
The town of Segamat was cut off by flooding and at least two other neighbouring towns were inundated, state Chief Minister Abdul Ghani Othman said.
Three rivers in the state had burst their banks, while five more were recorded at dangerous levels, the irrigation department said.
Abdul Ghani was quoted by the Star newspaper as saying the floods claimed two lives and a total of 28,932 people had taken refuge to 200 centres statewide.
Railway services in the state were cancelled until water levels return to normal, officials said.
The meteorological department forecast rain through Tuesday.
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