Penang’s low-lying areas flooded after two-hour downpour

GEORGE TOWN – A few low-lying areas on the island including coastal villages were inundated with flash floods after a mere two-hour downpour here.

The floods kept firemen and Civil Defence Corps personnel busy with the evacuation of villagers and precious belongings from their homes.

Residents were also worried as the floods came while the state was stricken by Covid-19 cases.

A fisherman posted on social media that he was disappointed with the conduct of the state government.

“On land the state has not managed, yet they want to carve up three artificial islands.”

Among the first state assemblymen to respond was Tanjung Bungah rep Zairil Khir Johari, who is also transport and infrastructure exco.

Zairil said that this morning the northern coast of Penang was hit by a storm recording 150mm of rainfall within two hours from 8am to 10am. 

This is an extraordinary amount of rainfall as 50mm is already considered very heavy.

“150mm over two hours is quite close to the great storm of November 2017. With this amount of rainfall, no normal infrastructure will be able to contain the water runoff.

As a result, flash floods have occurred in various parts of the Tg Bunga constituency.

The focus now is on assisting the flood victims, he said to the media.

“There are village houses in Batu Ferringhi, Tg Bungah and Tg Tokong affected badly by the floods and my office is currently assisting government agencies to provide aid such as food, temporary accommodation and other essentials.”

Meanwhile, a Penang Fire and Rescue Department spokesman told The Vibes that they rescued a family in Kg Din Bamboo, Batu Ferringhi after the house was inundated.

He said firefighters received an emergency call at 9.59am and rescue work was carried out by the Bagan Jermal Fire and Rescue station.

“The family consisting of three women and two children were evacuated to a neighbour’s house.

“Floodwaters receded at 11am and the family has returned to (their) house to start cleaning.”– The Vibes, June 29, 2021

Additional reporting by Ian McIntyre