Thousands evacuated in Malaysian floods as death toll reaches five

Kuala Lumpur_(dpa) _ More than 3,000 people have been forced to leave their homes as rising flood waters claimed five victims in three Malaysian states, police said Monday.

In the north-eastern state of Kelantan, 1,610 people have been evacuated from their flooded homes and placed in temporary relief shelters, a police spokesman said.

Thousands more are facing similar situations in the central Pahang state and southern state of Johor as continuous rainfall caused police to close major roads and issue warnings to those living near swelled rivers.

The death toll due to the floods have so far reached five, all of whom are from Kelantan, the official Bernama news agency reported.

The meteorological department has warned of thunderstorms and more rain in Kelantan up to Tuesday. dpa jy tl