Penang Hit Again By Landslides, Flash Floods

Now the heavy rain in Penang since midnight had caused landslides and flooding across the state, especially in George Town, Teluk Bahang and Bayan Lepas. According to a state Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) report, the floods in the town area were due to the high density of rainfall and high tide. Residents in several parts of George Town including Jalan Masjid Negeri, Bandar Baru Air Itam and Jalan P.Ramlee woke up this morning to flash floods with water levels waist-high after a downpour, which began at 3 am. The rains also triggered major landslides at Jalan Ujung Baru in Teluk Bahang and Relau in Bayan Lepas. The two landslides forced the closure of two roads, further worsening traffic congestion on the island. The main road connecting the city centre and Teluk Bahang will remain closed until further notice for all vehicles. State Public Works Department Director, Salleh Awang said the road was not safe to be used, especially for heavy vehicles and immediate works would be carried out. In the constituency, eight out of nine villages were flooded, leaving nearly 400 people in knee-high flood waters. The most badly affected villages were Kuala Jalan Baru where the water was recorded at waist-high, followed by Air Putih, Kuala Sungai Pinang, Kampung Teluk Bahang and Permatang Pasir. One family in Kampung Teluk Bahang was evacuated to the local council hall.