Death toll from Malaysia's worst floods in years rises to 37

Kuala Lumpur: The death toll from Malaysia's worst floods in years have risen to 37, authorities said.

Besides those confirmed dead, at least another 10 individuals have been reported missing, Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani told a media briefing on Thursday.

A total of 68,341 flood victims from 18,080 families were recorded at 396 relief centres (PPS) in seven states with Pahang being the most affected state, Xinhua news quoted Sani as saying.

He also said 137 roads were still closed due to floods that hit four states, and 23 locations of rivers are placed under danger and warning levels.

With rivers overflowing their banks, cities have been swamped while major roads have been cut off.

Currently, 66,015 personnel from various agencies have been deployed for flood mitigation efforts.

Acryl Sani said there were continued reports of theft and looting in flooded areas.

He urged those affected to seek shelter at temporary relief centres (PPS) instead of resorting to such activity, saying there was food and aid available on location.

"We have received seven cases of breaking in with arrests made. I want to tell the people, even foreigners, to come to the PPS to get food and supplies, especially in Shah Alam," he said.

The worst-hit state remains Pahang along the east coast of Peninsula Malaysia, with over 37,000 people being evacuated to flood relief centres, followed by Selangor state with over 22,000 evacuated.

The country's meteorological department has warned of more rain in the Peninsula Malaysia, with rain and storms expected in several states on Friday.