Flash floods strike parts of Penang

GEORGE TOWN – Flash floods inundated parts of Penang overnight, just hours after the three states under Pakatan Harapan (PH) decided against holding simultaneous federal-state elections respectively following the dissolution of Parliament last week.

In flood-prone Datuk Keramat and Sg Pinang, floodwaters crept into the low-lying homes of the residents, prompting some residents to evacuate to higher ground.

Earlier, PH opted for separate elections in its states for the first time in history on the grounds that they need to focus more on flood mitigation measures in view of the coming northeast monsoon weather.

State executive councillor Phee Boon Poh, who oversees the welfare portfolio, shared details and photographs of the floods.

While nobody was relocated, rescue workers from the state disaster task force helped one elderly woman upstairs at her home in Jalan P. Ramlee, said Phee.

The waters were reported to have reached the knee level, mostly in the Maran and Majid localities in Sg Pinang, and residents said floodwaters had entered their homes.

With the wet weather forecast for the most part of today, Phee urged the local government to ensure the drainage system is functional and that officers are on standby for floods in other localities.

Meanwhile, water levels at Sg Pinang have receded as of 9am today to a cautious level.

The last time floods hit Penang was about two months ago when the localities of Bayan Baru and Sg Ara suffered rising waters, with the notable location being the Penang International Airport in Bayan Lepas.

Penang Warisan chairman Jeff Ooi told The Vibes that the local government must be careful when approving projects now due to erratic weather brought about by climate change.

“We now notice that new townships have also become flood prone. The drainage system is not designed to withstand stronger rainfall,” said Ooi.

He also noted that there were new development schemes around the airport, and this may lead to the air transport hub being flooded more often than previously.

Ooi said that the voters in Penang are politically conscious and they would likely continue to participate in the upcoming 15th general election even if there are floods.

“To be fair to the state, there are efforts to tackle climate change, but more can be done to mitigate the effects from reducing the frequency of floods to prevent landslides as well as ensuring the drainage system is upgraded to cope with severe weather,” Ooi said. – The Vibes, October 16, 2022