More than 60 000 Malaysians who were forced to evacuate their homes due to massive floods have returned to their wrecked homes after staying at temporary shelters for close to two weeks, officials said on Wednesday.
Uncommonly heavy rains in the southern state of Johor and neighbouring states last month forced close to 90 000 people to leave their homes and go to hundreds of shelters nationwide due to the rising water levels.
After a week, officials began assisting the victims to go back to their damaged homes as flood waters began receding.
On Wednesday, a total of 26 403 flood victims remained at several relief centres in Johor, which has been hardest hit by the floods, the official Bernama news agency reported.
More than 60 000 have already returned home in batches to wrecked homes and broken furniture.
A total of 15 people — all from Johor — have died in the floods, including two Nepalese nationals who were swept away by strong currents.
Malaysia’s Meteorological Department has warned that a second wave of the floods could occur, following more rainfall in the region.
Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak has placed all government agencies on alert for search-and-rescue efforts, should the floods return.
Damage to roads and bridges in Johor was estimated to cost more than $22-million.
Each year in Malaysia, tens of thousands of people are forced to flee their homes during the rainy season and move into temporary shelters due to flooding. — Sapa-dpa