Death toll from Malaysia floods rises to 14

Bangkok, Dec 21 (EFE).- At least 14 people have died and more than 39,000 remain displaced due to floods caused by heavy monsoon rains over the weekend in several states in Malaysia, authorities reported Tuesday.

Rescue services located seven bodies in different places Monday, in addition to those found over the weekend, bringing the total number of deaths to 14, according to the state news agency Bernama.

Heavy rains since Friday have been described as the worst in 100 years.

The number of people who have had to be evacuated continues to rise and stood at more than 39,000 Tuesday morning, according to a Civil Defense Forces spokesman quoted by the New Straits Times.

Authorities said they are concerned about a possible increase in Covid-19 cases among the thousands of people in temporary shelters.

Despite not having rained for more than 24 hours, floods continue to occur due to overflowing of rivers in low-lying areas, which is why a call has been made for residents to prepare to leave their homes at any time, according to the spokesman.

Many roads have been closed and thousands of people trapped in their homes and vehicles due to the floods.

Heavy rains and floods have also affected some terminals in the Klang seaport, the country’s largest.

Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced Sunday $ 23 million in aid to repair homes and infrastructure damaged by floods.

More than 66,000 police, soldiers and firefighters participate in emergency and rescue tasks for people trapped by the floods, which in Selangor alone have displaced at least 15,000 people.

Malaysia has two rainy seasons: one caused by the southwest monsoon (May-September) and the other by the northeast monsoon (October-March), the most severe and generally affecting the eastern part of the Malay Peninsula and Borneo. EFE

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