Several areas in Penang hit by flash flood

GEORGE TOWN: Penang island is facing a massive flash flood as heavy rain continues to hit several low-lying areas such as Bayan Lepas, Batu Maung, Relau and Teluk Bahang including the Penang International Airport.

The airport was also flooded as the water had entered the arrival hall and several inbound and departing flights had been delayed due to the weather condition.

The airport spokesperson said that the areas affected were the public area arrival level, lane 1 curbside, service road air side and turbo prop lounge.

Traffic was also at a standstill as the water had overflowed to the round about that leads to the airport terminal.

Southwest District Police Chief Supt Anuar Omar said that the road was clogged but the situation was under control.

“Despite the heavy rain, no accident had been recorded so far,” he said when contacted.

Meanwhile in Teluk Bahang, some 1,000 villagers from three villages had been affected by the flood and as at 6.30pm, 15 families, one disabled person and a one-year-ole child had been placed at the Teluk Bahang City Council Hall.

The State Civil Defence Department had also given a helping hand by dispatching three four-wheel-drive and two ambulances to the flood scene.

Its operation head, Lt Mohd Aizad Abdul Ghani said the department officers would be on stand by until everything was completed.

As of 4.30pm, the water had started to subside as the heavy rain had stopped.

However, locals from Kampung Nelayan, Kampung Teluk Awak and Kampung Desa Marina were worried that the rain would come back as the rainy season had started.

This is the first time Kampung Desa Marina was hit by such a flash flood while for Kampung Nelayan and Teluk Awak it was the third time.

Some 20 cars and 40 motorbikes had been moved out but there were more vehicles trapped inside the village.

The Teluk Bahang Fire and Rescue Department said that besides the heavy rain, there was a possibility that the drainage system was outdated, causing the water not to flow smoothly.

State local government, flood mitigation and traffic management committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said that heavy rainfall up to 190mm had been recorded at Teluk Bahang Dam and high tide had caused the Teluk Awak river bank to burst, hence triggering the flash flood in Teluk Bahang.

Meanwhile, Teluk Bahang assemblyman Datuk Shah Headan Ayoob Hussain Shah expressed his fear that the flash flood was caused by hill clearing at Bukit Teluk Bahang.

At the same time, in Bayan Lepas, Relau and Batu Maung, more than 100 families had been affected by the flood and the Fire and Rescue Department was still collecting data on how many people were affected. — Bernama