Flash floods hit several areas in Penang

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Motorists caught in the flash floods at Jalan Bayan Baru. — Bernama photo

Motorists caught in the flash floods at Jalan Bayan Baru. — Bernama photo

GEORGE TOWN: Several areas in Penang were inundated by flash floods and mudflow after more than five hours of rain since 4am yesterday morning.

Among the areas affected were Jalan Bayan Lepas to Teluk Kumbar, Batu Maung, Bukit Gambir, Bayan Lepas, Paya Terubong, Air Itam and several roads in George Town.

Many people were caught in the morning traffic snarls since 8am on their way to work.

A private sector employee, Nor Waznah Saad, 35, said she took more than two hours to travel from Teluk Kumbar to her workplace in George Town.

“The worst affected this  morning was at Bukit Belah (Jalan Bayan Lepas to Teluk Kumbar) as the road was covered by mudflow from several housing construction projects in the area.

“In the past one year, when it rains for more than an hour, the place will be flooded and we residents hope the problems will be resolved soon,” she said here yesterday.

Meanwhile, a state Fire and Rescue spokesman said the department received an emergency call at 9.43am on a flash flood in Kampung Selamat, Bayan Lepas, near here.

“Upon arrival, firemen found more than 70 houses in the village were under 1.5 metres of water. The flood was believed to be due to the heavy downpour and clogged drains following the road widening works by a contractor,” he said.

Meanwhile in Georgetown, a special meeting will be held on Monday to discuss the worsening flash floods in several areas in the Bayan Lepas state constituency.

Bayan Lepas  state  assemblyman Nordin Ahmad said almost half of the areas affected by flash floods and mudflow early yesterday were in the constituency. — Bernama