Channel NewsAsia 19 Dec 07;
KUALA LUMPUR - The death toll in Malaysia's floods has risen to 29 with more than 34,000 people evacuated, reports said Wednesday, as forecasters tipped more bad weather in the coming days.
In north-eastern Kelantan state which borders southern Thailand, 14 people were killed while some 8,352 people were forced to flee their homes, the Star newspaper said.
The bursting of a dam in Thailand's Narathiwat province has worsened the situation, it said, and displaced people are being housed and fed in schools and community centres.
The death toll of 29 was up by five from Tuesday.
In Pahang, 11 people died as rescue officials found two bodies floating in the Endau Rompin river. Both men were reported missing after going fishing. At least 22,549 people have been evacuated to relief centres in the state, the Star said.
In southern Johor state neighbouring Singapore, four deaths were reported and 814 were being housed in relief centres.
Meteorological officials expect more rain to pound the north eastern states during the monsoon, a climatic phenomenon that occurs between November and February every year.
Relief authorities are bracing for the high tide phenomenon Friday which is expected to worsen the flood situation in the coastal areas of central Pahang state.
As well as human casualties, the floods have hurt palm oil production, damaged property and cut access to many highways.
"Total production for the year will be lower," said R. Chandran, the former head of the Malaysian Palm Oil Association, citing estimated output for 2007 at 15.7 million tonnes compared to 15.9 million tonnes a year earlier.
- AFP /ls
