BUKIT MERTAJAM – Covid-19 is not the only woe facing Penang folk, with flash floods resulting from an hours-long downpour forcing some residents to evacuate their homes.
Yesterday evening saw 21 people from six families seeking shelter at a relief centre in Bukit Teh after floodwaters rose to 0.5m.
The authorities made the necessary arrangements to ensure coronavirus standard operating procedures are in place at the centre, to prevent the emergence of a new cluster.
Heavy rains between 4pm and 6pm yesterday led to trees being uprooted and several areas in Bukit Mertajam inundated.
The water level rose to as high as 1m in Kg Tasik Junjong, Kubang Semang, Machang Bubuk, Kg Manggis, Kg Berangan, Taman Bidara and Kg Bukit Teh.
Uprooted trees obstructed roads in Kg Pelet, Kubang Semang, Kg Petani, Jalan Guar Perahu, Taman Selamat and Kg Bukit Indera Muda.
Seberang Prai Tengah district police chief Shafee Abd Samad said losses in terms of damage to property have yet to be assessed.
“We have instructed the MPV and motorcycle units to monitor the traffic situation in the affected areas and provide help to residents.
“No one has been reported injured. We are monitoring the situation and providing updates.”
District Social Welfare Department representatives, Fire and Rescue Department personnel, and Village Security and Development Committee members are on hand to aid flood victims.
Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim and Machang Bubuk assemblyman Lee Khai Loon, too, have come to help.
They distributed 200 burgers, and 400 packs of fried rice and mee goreng to Machang Bubuk and Bukit Teh residents.
Sim said only the government can help tackle the issue of flooding.
“Pakatan Harapan, prior to this, allocated RM10 million to study the flood situation in the constituency, and to draw up strategies to overcome the problem.” – The Vibes, May 6, 2021
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