PENANG will provide assistance to flood victims as some 500 families are relocated to temporary relief centres following heavy rainstorms which have unearthed up to 30 roadside trees and caused flash floods on the mainland.
State Social Development, Welfare and Non-Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairperson Lim Siew Khim said the special assistance would be extended to all flood victims in the north, central and south Prai districts.
“This matter will be discussed within the next few days," Lim said after visiting families taking up shelter at SK Lahar Yooi in Kepala Batas.
Floods also struck in Seberang Prai, notably at Kepala Batas which shares a border with Kedah's Kuala Muda district, and in Nibong Tebal.
“I will bring this matter of assistance to Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow to determine the kind of help that we can provide," said Lim.
As of yesterday, 650 victims from 170 families were placed in nine relief centres in the north, central and south Prai districts.
The Malaysian Meteorology Department has issued a continuous rain warning for four states – Perlis, Kedah, Penang and Perak – which is expected to last until Sept 21 with rough seas, thunderstorms and strong winds.
Meanwhile, questions were being asked over the uprooting of trees including the tragic incident at China Street Ghaut when a huge trunk fell on a vehicle killing a father and his daughter from China.
Amid calls for legal action to be initiated against the proprietor of the facility, Chow has stressed that the uprooted tree was situated on private land - beyond the control of the local authorities, who are under stress to inspect fragile trees here.
Lord Mayor and Penang Island City Council president Datuk Anthony Rajendran told a media briefing that up to 80 reports were lodged about fallen trees.
MBPP will not be taking any chances as they move to fell aged trees located along Jalan Kelawai, Jalan Burma, Jalan Utama, Jalan Perak and Jalan Macalister.
The felling will start next week and is expected to be completed by mid-October. The felled trees will be replanted, Rajendran said.
MBPP had removed 86 unhealthy trees from January to August and is maintaining 13,995 roadside trees this year, at a cost of RM 4.3 million.
The council has enlisted arborists and the Malaysian Engineers Institute for expert consultation on tree health and stability.
Local civil society members have alerted the local authorities on the need to be prepared for climate change where the weather becomes more extreme either through rainfall, thunderstorms and strong winds.
"The ways of dealing with adverse weather must change in tandem with how the new and extreme weather patterns are emerging from prolonged drought to heavier than usual rainstorms," they said when contacted. - September 20, 2024.
