International
6 dead, 4,000 evacuated after flash floods hit Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur (AP): Heavy rains caused flash floods throughout Malaysia leaving six people dead and leading to the evacuation of more than 4,000 others, police said on Sunday.

Four people, including a three-year-old boy, drowned in northeast Kelantan state, and 1,671 others were placed in temporary shelters, said police official Mohamad Rizal.

In southern Johor state, police recovered the body of a 13-year-old boy early Sunday who was swept away while bathing in a river. More than 1,160 people were in relief centers in the state.

A 15-year-old boy died after falling into a river while fishing in neighboring Pahang state, said police spokesman Rahimi Rais. A total of 1,495 people in Pahang were evacuated.

Northern Terengganu state was also affected by heavy rainfall, but flood waters receded and all evacuees returned home, police said.

The Meteorological Department said heavy downpours had eased but warned moderate rainfall would continue over the next two days in flood-prone states, a statement on its Web site said.

Malaysia increased flood mitigation efforts after suffering one of its worst periods of monsoon flooding last year. The government estimated losses of 1.2 billion ringgit (US$343 million; euro233 million) to repair roads and schools, and in aid to flood victims.

International

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