Floods devastate Malaysian town

Floods devastate Malaysian town

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Flash floods have wreaked havoc in a Malaysian town and disrupted the lives of more than 10,000 residents who have blamed developers for poor drainage systems.

A 10-hour downpour early Thursday sparked flash floods and landslides in Rawang, toppling trees, bringing traffic to a halt and damaging houses and schools.

A restaurant located on a riverbank was swept away, the New Straits Times said. Some 5,000 students trapped at schools after water rose to more than three metres were rescued by boats.

Many residents were caught by surprise when muddy water gushed into their homes, schools and buildings. Train services were suspended for five hours after water submerged the tracks.