Rains ease in flood-stricken southern Malaysia

Rains eased in Malaysia's flood-hit south Wednesday but authorities warned it may be two weeks before some residents can go home, even as diarrhea reportedly spread in relief centers due to unsanitary conditions.

The New Straits Times newspaper said there were also seven cases of leptospirosis, a water-borne disease carried in rat urine and spread by water, since earlier flooding in December. One of the victims has died.

Heavy rains that began last week triggered more floods after a deluge in December — the worst in a century — killed at least 17 people and caused damage amounting to more than 100 million ringgit

Health Minister Chua Soi Lek said there have been 2,000 cases of diarrhea reported in relief centers, the paper said, adding that the government will send about 200 doctors and nurses from other states to help personnel in Johor.

"I'm glad to say that in the past three days, there have been no reports of typhoid or cholera, but 2,000 cases of diarrhea have been reported," Chua said, according to the paper.

No deaths have been reported in the latest floods. Intermittent rain was forecast for the state Wednesday.

A total of 79,888 evacuees remained in Johor relief centers today morning, flood operations official Jamil Abdul Rahman said on national broadcaster RTM.

The number was down by about 10,000 from the previous day.

Abdullah will visit the hard-hit Batu Pahat district later Wednesday, the official Bernama news agency said, a day after he took a motor boat down the streets of Kota Tinggi town — still under meters (feet) of water.

The Civil Defense Department's crisis division director Che Moin Umar told reporters late Tuesday the government estimates most flood evacuees, except for those in the Batu Pahat area, will be able to return home by the weekend.

Clogged drains and the low-lying terrain will delay their return, and authorities plan to pump floodwater from the area, Bernama quoted him as saying.

The entire town of Kota Tinggi, meanwhile, remains under meters (feet) of floodwater.

"The only way in is by boat, as the bridge linking the town is still out," a police spokesman told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, because he was not authorized to speak to media.

The Star newspaper reported that boatmen were offering tours of flood-deluged areas, with one unidentified "tour guide" quoted as saying this seemed all right, since the government has deemed 2007 "Visit Malaysia Year."

Boatmen here are charging between RM5 and RM10 to take people on a “tour” of flooded areas.

The “tour” boats could be singled out as the passengers did not wear life jackets and were busy taking pictures.

The army and police made sure everyone had a life jacket while in their boats.

“We have advised them that it is dangerous but they still want to do it,” a policeman said.

“We are doing relief and rescue work, and it is difficult to monitor them. We offer advice and warn them.”

Meanwhile, the onlookers who looked happy to get a “feel” of the floodwaters could not care that their presence was hampering the work of relief workers.

Another great tale from Bolehsia.

JOHOR FLASH FLOODS UPDATE

Kota Tinggi

* KM23 Bandar Tenggara - Kluang
* KM40 Kg Batu 25
* Jalan Tun Sri Lanang
* KM24 Jalan Mawai
* Jalan Tun Habab
* KM23 Ulu Tiram - Kota Tinggi
* Johor Bahru - Mersing

Mersing

* Jambatan Sg Lomako
* KM23 Jalan Nitar - Kluang
* Jalan Bluang - Endau

Segamat

* Jalan Cha'a / Yong Peng

Batu Pahat

* Jalan Seri Pasir, Seri Medan
* Jalan Parit Raja Darat
* Jalan Yong Peng & Kangkar Baru - Parit Sulong
* Sengkuang - Seri Bengkal
* KM6 Yong Peng - Labis

Kluang

* Jalan Kahang - Mersing
* Jalan Paloh - Yong Peng
* Ladang Sungai Taweng, Paloh
* Ladang Selai
* Kahang - Taman Negara

(Note : All Roads/Areas Listed Are Inaccessible To All Vehicles Unless Mentioned)


Malaysia flood help Johor