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More than 160,000 evacuated in Malaysia’s worst ever floods

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Malaysia has been hit by its worst flooding in 30 years, leaving at least eight people dead and forcing an estimated 160,000 from their homes.

Rescuers were struggling to reach parts of Kelantan, Terenggagu and Pahang – the eastern regions hardest hit by the waters.

At least eight people died, having drowned when their rescue boat became trapped in a whirlpool and capsized.

A group of around 100 tourists stranded in the remote Mutiara Taman Negara resort, in central Malaysia, were rescued and taken to a relief centre.

Eastern Malaysia suffers from annual flooding, but the strong winds and particularly heavy rainfall have made this year’s significantly worse. And the Malaysian meteorological office was warning of more rain to come.

“Because there is no electricity, there is no water either,” said Darius Dramburg, living in the affected region. He told the BBC World Service he was planning to leave his submersed village and seek refuge in the capital, Kuala Lumpur.

“The shops have all closed down, so we don’t know how much food we can get.”Najib Razak, the prime minister, was heavily criticised for playing golf with Barack Obama in Hawaii as the flooding hit, but on Saturday he was flying back to visit the region.

“I am deeply concerned by the floods,” he said. “I feel for the people who have lost their homes, and the families who have lost their loved ones. “I want to see the situation for myself and be with the people.”

The fresh rains are expected to hit southern states bordering Singapore.

Thailand has also suffered from flooding, with 13 dead, 8,000 forced from their homes, and 184,000 households affected.

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