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Malaysia

Malaysia floods claim ninth victim as officials warn of more rain

Kuala Lumpur_(dpa) _ A 3-year-old girl became the ninth fatality from massive floods that have driven more than 75,000 people from their homes in southern Malaysia, officials said Thursday.

The girl's body was discovered late Wednesday. She had been reported missing when the car she was travelling in was swept away in Johor state, said a state police spokesman.

The victim's mother and sister, who were in the same car, are still missing, the spokesman was quoted as saying by the official Bernama news agency.

All nine victims, as well as several others reported missing, were from Johor, which has been hardest hit by the worst flooding in decades.

Malaysia's Meteorological Department warned that the southern region will face more rain, sparking fears of worse damage.

Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak said Thursday that all government agencies had been put on alert for search and rescue efforts, should the floods become worse.

"If it doesn't occur, then thank God but if it does, we must be ready so that the necessary operations can be carried out efficiently," he said.

Damage to roads and bridges in Johor was estimated to cost more than 22 million dollars.

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. dpa wts tl

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