GEORGE TOWN – Penang is preparing for possible floods in the coming days following weather reports predicting heavy rainfall.
In fact, the seasonal year-end southwest monsoon, which usually scatters over the east coast states of Kelantan, Terengganu, and Pahang, has spread to the northern region of Perlis, Kedah, and Penang.
State environment and welfare exco Phee Boon Poh confirmed in a text message that the state is preparing for floods in view of early weather forecasts.
“It is hoped that the forecast thunderstorms may drift away from the region, but if it pours, the state needs to be ready,” Phee said.
In another development, tourism exco Yeoh Soon Hin at the launching of the state-level Travel Safe Alliance Malaysia today said that Penang expects some 30,000 domestic tourists over the next two weeks despite the threat of floods.
Yeoh said there is optimism that tourists will continue to visit despite the rough weather and mammoth floods in the Klang Valley and other states.
The alliance has nine hotels in Penang that have signed with the Malaysian Association of Hotels, the Malaysian Association of Tours and Travel Agents, airlines under the Malaysia Aviation Group, and the Malaysian Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers.
Certified by Bureau Veritas Certification Malaysia, the alliance is a benchmark for travel safety with measures to mitigate Covid-19.
Penang will also install 20 units of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) by the first quarter of 2022 under the Responsible Tourism campaign, kickstarting Phase 1 of the state-wide installation project.
The new locations are at St Anne’s Church, the Jelutong, Nibong Tebal, Jalan Patani and Teluk Kumbar police stations, the Jalan Perak and Chew Jetty fire stations, Pinang Tunggal, Wadda Gurdwara, Taman Botani (4), Penang Hill Mid Station, Kompleks Makan & Pasar Taman Terubong Jaya, Jalan Raja Uda – Rumah Berhala Guan Yin Ting Dou Mu Gong, Pulau Aman, Air Itam market, Taman Pekaka, and Astaka Gurney.
“The upcoming phases will gradually be rolled out until all five districts in Penang are covered, amounting to 45 AEDs in total. This plan to include all districts is to ensure that the AEDs are accessible to the public, allowing them to have equal access to basic life-saving amenities,” he added.
Yeoh said that this installation is Penang’s approach to enhancing public safety, which is aligned with the state’s Penang 2030 vision in line with its theme of making Penang “A Green and Smart State that Inspires the Nation”. – The Vibes, December 21, 2021
