The number of people evacuated due to Malaysia’s worst-ever floods jumped to more than 160,000 on Saturday (December 27).
The number of people evacuated jumped from 100,000 a day before, the New Straits Times newspaper reported.
Northeastern peninsular Malaysia, which is worst affected part of the country, is regularly hit by flooding during the annual “northeast monsoon”, but this year’s rains have been particularly heavy
Prime Minister Najib Razak cut short a vacation in the U.S. to tour the affected areas.
The prime minister attended briefings with the National Security Council, the National Disaster Management and Relief Committee, state government and local emergency responders, a statement on Friday (December 26) said.
On Saturday, Najib announced an additional 500 million ringgit ($143.31 million) will be spent to aid victims after the flood subsides, following an initial government allocation of 50 million ringgit two days ago.
On Tuesday (December 23), nearly 60 foreign tourists were among almost 100 people rescued by boat and helicopter from a resort in a Malaysian national park lashed by its highest rainfall since 1971.
The flooding comes as communities in north-western Malaysia mark the 10th anniversary of the devastating tsunami that hit on December 26, 2004. (Reuters)
